Demonstrators attacked American embassies in Yemen and Egypt on Thursday in protest at a film they consider blasphemous to Islam, while US warships headed to Libya after the death of the American ambassador there earlier this week.
Hundreds of Yemeni demonstrators broke through the
main gate of the heavily fortified compound in Sanaa, after smashing windows of security offices outside the embassy and burned cars. “We can see a fire inside the compound and security forces are firing in the air. The demonstrators are fleeing and then charging back,” one witness said. One person was reported killed in firing by the forces, while the embassy said all personnel were safe.
In Egypt, protesters hurled stones at a cordon around the US embassy in central Cairo after climbing into the embassy and tearing down the American flag. Thirteen people were reported injured in the violence.
US officials said the attack, on the 11th anniversary of Al Qaeda’s 9/11 attacks on America, may have been planned in advance. There were suggestions that Al Qaeda’s North Africa-based affiliate might be involved.