Yemeni Attackers Aimed to Slaughter US Diplomats

Islamic militants who attacked the US embassy in Yemen yesterday planned to massacre all the Americans in the compound, a security source tells Time. The attackers intended to pass a checkpoint disguised as guards and then blow up the gate with a vehicle, clearing the way for a second carload to enter and kill US workers inside.

"Had they made it inside, it would have been a disaster," said a source. Instead, the first wave of attackers blew themselves up at the checkpoint when they were confronted by embassy guards. The second carload of attackers then raced in and died fighting security personnel. The bold and sophisticated raid has sparked fears that al-Qaeda is gaining ground in Yemen.
(More Yemen stories.)