Yemen Embassy blast has al-Qaida markers

WASHINGTON, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- The deadly bombing at the U.S. Embassy in Yemen had the hallmarks of an al-Qaida operation, the U.S State Department said Wednesday.

Officials are following up a claim of responsibility for the attack Yemeni officials in Sanaa said killed 16 people, State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said in New York.

"We're following up some suspicions that we have about this particular group," McCormack said. "I think it's safe to say ... the attack bears all the hallmarks of an al-Qaida attack, where you have multiple vehicle-borne devices along with personnel on foot, seemingly in an attempt to try to breach perimeter and actually get inside ... and again try to inflict further damage and inflict loss of life."

Yemeni guards and improved embassy security measures foiled an attempt by terrorists to blast a hole through the walls of the diplomatic compound and kill those inside, McCormack said.

"At the moment, the embassy is closed," McCormack said. "Consular services until further notice will be closed, although we are reaching out to the American community in Yemen."

That they didn't succeed is a testament to security upgrades and the "vigilance and response of the security personnel," he said.