File photo taken on Sept. 12, 2004 shows the outside of US consulate in the Red Sea city of Jeddah. At least four Saudi national guards were killed by the gunmen who stormed the US consulate in the Red Sea city of Jeddah on Dec. 6, 2004. (File photo)

    RIYADH, Dec. 6 (Xinhuanet) -- US consulate in the Red Sea city of Jeddah was under attack on Monday, while Saudi security forces sealed off the US mission, the Sky News TV channel reported.

    Gunshots and explosions were heard and witnesses reported plumes of black smoke were seen rising from the area.
US embassy said it was no reports on US casualties.

    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