US embassies attacked in Yemen, Egypt after Libya envoy killed

Demonstrators attacked the US embassies in Yemen and Egypt today in protest at a film they consider blasphemous to Islam and American warships headed to Libya after the death of the US ambassador there in related violence earlier in the week.

Demonstrators attacked the US embassies in Yemen and Egypt on Thursday in protest at a film they consider blasphemous to Islam and American warships headed to Libya after the death of the US ambassador there in related violence earlier in the week.

Hundreds of Yemeni demonstrators broke through the main gate of the heavily fortified compound in eastern Sanaa, shouting "We sacrifice ourselves for you, Messenger of God". Earlier they smashed 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 told Reuters.

A security source said at least 15 people were wounded, some by bullets. An embassy spokesman said its personnel were reported to be safe.

In Egypt, protesters hurled stones at a police cordon around the US embassy in central Cairo after climbing into the embassy and tearing down the American flag.

The state news agency said 13 people were injured in violence which erupted on Wednesday night after protests on Tuesday.

A Yemeni protestor destroys an American flag pulled down as other hold a banner in Arabic that reads, "any one but you God's prophet", at the US embassy compound in Sanaa, Yemen. AP

Activists of an Islamic party burn the US flag during a protest against a film mocking Islam in Dhaka. AFP