U.S. Consulate in Jeddah Under Attack

Breaking news from The Australian:

Attackers have struck the US consulate in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, with witnesses saying a car exploded in front of the compound and smoke was rising from the scene.

It was not immediately clear if there were any casualties but witnesses reported ambulances rushing to the consulate.

US Embassy spokeswoman Carol Kalin said there were no reports of American casualties.

"We can confirm there has been an attack on the consulate," Ms Kalin said. "No reports of any American casualties. The incident is still in progress with Saudi emergency forces securing the compound."

One witness near the scene reported smoke rising from the area and said police were keeping cars and traffic from the area. Some witnesses said gunfire was heard just before the blast.

The consulate office in Jeddah is a satellite of the main embassey in Riyadh.

[Update]

Breaking news from Khalid Fadli of Reuters (0549am EST):

Attackers stormed the U.S. consulate in Jeddah Monday, killing four Saudi guards and taking 18 local staff hostage, security sources said.

There was no word on other casualties, but this reporter saw ambulances ferrying people from the complex.

Witnesses said a fire broke out after the gunmen attacked the consulate complex and traded fire with guards. Saudi National Guards later entered the complex and opened fire.

[ ... ]

Security sources said 18 local staffers had been taken hostage in Monday's attack, but a Western diplomat said they might have simply been trapped in the building.

According to Khalid Almaeena, editor-in chief of Arab News, the attack took the residents of Jeddah by complete surprise since the city had been very calm in the last few months.

As a precaution, the embassy in Riyadh and the missions in Jeddah and Dhahran have been closed.

[Update 2] Saudi National Guard has killed one terrorist, arrested two, and surrounded two others inside the consulate compound.

[Update 3] According to this report, at least nine people died in gun battles before control of the consulate was secured. Also, the "squadron of the martyr Abu Annas al-Shami," a group linked to al-Qaeda, has claimed responsibility for the attack. (via In The Bullpen)

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