|
Related:
|
A TV grab shows that black
smoke was seen rising from the US consulate in the Red Sea city of Jeddah,
Dec. 6, 2004. At least four Saudi national guards were killed by the
gunmen who stormed the US consulate in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on
Monday. (Xinhua/AFP photo)
File photo taken
on Sept. 12, 2004 shows the outside of US consulate in the Red Sea
city of Jeddah. (Xinhua file
photo)
|
Four Saudi guards killed at US consulate in
Jeddah
RIYADH, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- At least four Saudi national
guards were killed by the gunmen who stormed the US consulate in the Red Sea
city of Jeddah on Monday, the pan-Arab al-Jazeera TV
reported.
Attackers who stormed the US consulate in
Jeddah on Monday killed four Saudi guards and took 18 local staff hostage,
security sources were quoted as saying.
Witnesses said Saudi
security forces have broken into the compound and were chasing
attackers.
A gunbattle raged inside, in the latest strike
against Western targets in the kingdom, they said, adding four attackers
remained inside the US consulate where a gunbattle ongoing was taking place more
than an hour after the initial blast.
Earlier Monday,
gunshots and explosions were heard and witnesses reported plumes of black smoke
were seen rising from the area.
US Embassy spokeswoman Carol
Kalin said in Riyadh that there were no reports of American
casualties.
"We can confirm there has been an attack on the
consulate,"Kalin said, adding "no reports of any American casualties. The
incident is still in progress with Saudi emergency forces securing the
compound."
It was not clear yet whether the attack was
linked to Islamic militants bent on driving westerners out of the
kingdom.
Violence has surged since last May, during which
dozens of foreigners were attacked and several bombing attacks
staged. Enditem
Three gunmen killed in attack on US consulate in Jeddah: interior
ministry
RAYADH, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- Three attackers were killed
and two were injured and arrested by Saudi security forces when US consulate in
the Red Sea city of Jeddah came under attack Monday, the Interior Ministry
announced.
The official Saudi Press Agency quoted a statement as saying that Saudi security
forces engaged the attackers, "killing three aggressors, and two were captured
after they were hit."
The statement said a "stray bunch", a
reference to Islamic militants, threw explosives at the gate of the consulate
then entered.
"The situation was brought under
control," it added. Earlier the Dubai-based al-Arabiya TV reported that at least
one gunman was killed by Saudi security forces when US consulate in the Red Sea
city of Jeddah came under attack Monday.
Another two attackers were arrested
after they exchanged fire with security guards inside the US mission
compound.
According to US Embassy spokesperson Carol Kalin, all US diplomats have been
accounted for and there was no word on US casualties.
The attack
started early Monday with gunshots and explosions. Four Saudi security guards
have been killed and 18 local consulate staff taken hostage by the attackers,
earlier reports said.
The area has been cordoned off by
security forces.
Violence has surged in the kingdom since
last May, during which militants with alleged links to al-Qaida have staged
several bombing attacks against western targets and dozens of foreigners have
been killed.
Enditem |
Breaking
News 
