Uzbek Blasts Hit U.S. and Israeli Embassies

[Dover]

By Shamil Baigin
TASHKENT, Uzbekistan (Reuters) - Suspected suicide bombers struck the U.S. and Israeli embassies in Uzbekistan as well as the state prosecutor's office Friday, killing two local guards at the Israeli mission and wounding nine other people.

The coordinated blasts in the capital Tashkent came four days after the authoritarian ex-Soviet state, a U.S. ally in its war on terror, put 15 suspected al Qaeda followers on trial for bomb attacks in March that killed nearly 50 people.

A little-known Islamic group claimed responsibility for the blasts, saying they were a protest against injustice and to show solidarity with Palestinian, Iraqi and Afghan fighters.

U.S. and Israeli officials said the three bombers seemed to approach on foot as business was winding up for the day.

"One policeman and one security guard who were guarding the embassies were killed. Nine people were injured. Two of them are in a serious condition," the Uzbek Interior Ministry said.

An Israeli security source told Reuters: "The attacker came as close as possible to the door, saw the Uzbek security men and then detonated himself." .....cont'd

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