Yemen police swiftly cordon off the area
Series of blasts near US embassy in Yemen
Blazing vehicle visible on road past US embassy compound's heavily fortified perimeter in Sanaa.
SANAA - A series of explosions struck near the US embassy in the Yemeni capital Sanaa on Wednesday, two witnesses said.
There was no immediate word on any casualties.
A blazing vehicle was visible on the road past the embassy compound's heavily fortified perimeter and police swiftly cordoned off the area, the witnesses said.
A US embassy official declined to comment on the blasts. "I cannot confirm it. I cannot talk about it," the official said asking not to be identified.
In April the State Department ordered the evacuation of non-essential diplomatic staff following an attack on the embassy claimed by Al-Qaeda the previous month and rocket fire on a Sanaa residential compound used by US oilmen.
The embassy called on Americans in Yemen to "exercise caution and take prudent security measures, including maintaining a high level of vigilance, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, keeping a low profile, varying times and routes for all travel."
In recent years, militants have carried out several attacks in Yemen, one of the poorest countries on the planet.
In October 2000, Al-Qaeda attacked American warship the USS Cole off the southern port of Aden, using a small boat packed with explosives to blow a hole in the side of the vessel, killing 17 American sailors.