Two explosions went off near the US embassy in Yemen on Wednesday, the pan-Arab Al Arabiya Television reported.

One of the blasts was caused by a suspected car bomb, according to the TV report, which said there believed to be casualties though no exact figure was available at the moment.

Ambulances and fire engines rushed to the scene, where smoke was seen rising from the heavily-fortified compound, and the police cordoned off the area, according to the report.

Militants have carried out a string of attacks in Yemen in recent years.

(Xinhua News Agency September 17, 2008)