US Embassy in Yemen stormed by ‘protesters,’ Iranians chant ‘Death to America’

Protesters claiming to be angry from an anti-Islam film have stormed the US Embassy compound in Yemen’s capital, Sanaa, as demonstrations seem to be spreading to many countries across the Middle East.

The protesters removed the embassy’s sign on the outer wall and brought down the US flag and burned it, AP news agency reported on Thursday.

A number of diplomatic vehicle were torched as security forces used water cannons and warning shots in a bid to drive them out.

In the Iranian capital, Tehran, up to 500 people protested over the issue chanting “Death to America!” and death to the movie’s director, an AFP photographer at the scene said.

The rally, near the Swiss embassy that handles US interests in the absence of US-Iran diplomatic ties, ended peacefully two hours later.

Meanwhile, Egypt’s President Mohamed Morsi has condemned the film that has sparked an outcry in his country.

“We Egyptians reject any kind of assault or insult against our prophet. I condemn and oppose all who… insult our prophet,” Morsi, on an official visit to Brussels, said in remarks broadcast by Egyptian state television.

“(But) it is our duty to protect our guests and visitors from abroad… I call on everyone to take that into consideration, to not violate Egyptian law… to not assault embassies,” he added.

Egyptians have clashed with police outside US embassy in the capital, Cairo, for the third day.

About 30 people have been injured, including more than 10 riot police, in the overnight clashes, as the fallout from a film ridiculing Islam’s prophet raged on Thursday.

Police have used tear gas to disperse the crowd, as interior ministry said at least 12 people have been arrested.

American flags were also burned in Tunisia, outside the US embassy in the capital, Tunis.

Police fired tear gas at demonstrators who shouted their opposition to the film, and chanted slogans against the US.

A small crowd also burned an American flag in Gaza City. Hamas – the elected government there – has condemned the film.

photo/Collin David Anderson