TNI Bureau: In response to a YouTube trailer of a film named ‘Innocence of Muslims’, a series of protests were witnessed across the world in mostly the Muslim populated countries, as the film had portrayed Prophet Muhammad in an odd manner. The protests began in Cairo, Egypt and Benghazi, Libya, and quickly spread across the Muslim world.
In Libya, U.S. Ambassador Christopher Stevens was killed in the Benghazi attack along with Information Management Officer Sean Smith and two others. The U.S. Consulate in Benghazi was attacked by gunmen on September 11. The main building was surrounded in a fire after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade. U.S. security personnel tried to retake the main building but were unsuccessful and with the assistance of Libyan forces, they were able to evacuate the rest of the main building.
In Yemen, demonstrators breached a security wall at the U.S. Embassy while thousands of people protested outside. Four protesters died during clashes with security forces outside the embassy, according to Yemeni security officials. Twenty-four security force members were reported injured, as were 11 protesters, according to Yemen’s Defense Ministry, security officials and eyewitnesses.
In Egypt, a huge crowd was gathered in front of the Cairo embassy on Friday morning, as a large fire burned and security guarded the area. It was reported that at least 13 civilians and six police officers were injured in the tussle.
In Chennai, vandalism took place by a mob at the US Embassy, the fortified consulate, on the arterial Anna Salai on Friday evening. The bullet proof glass ceiling of the cabin at the entrance of the visa section, CCTV camera and sun shades were damaged. Some of the protestors even scaled the iron grills above the compound wall and damaged a few lights. The security cabin at the main entrance was destroyed.
In Tunisia, protesters entered the compound of the U.S. embassy after climbing the embassy walls and set trees inside the compound ablaze on September 14. The protesters attacked the American Cooperative School of Tunis and set it on fire. Two protesters were killed when the police opened fire.
Support Independent Journalism? Keep us live.
In Sudan, protesters breached the outside wall of the compound and clashed with guards on September 14 where three people were killed. Sudanese authorities deployed abundant riot police to deal the situation.
In Iran, protests took place outside the Swiss embassy in Tehran which represents American interests in the Islamic Republic. Iranian police prevented the protesters from reaching the embassy gates and no injuries were reported.
In Lebanon, protesters attacked and set fire to American fast food stores in a strip mall, including KFC, Hardee’s and Krispy Kreme on September 14 where one person died in the fire.
In Gaza City, Palestinians demonstrated outside U.N. headquarters, and about 200 Palestinians protested the film at the Palestine Legislative Council building. In one instance, Palestinian men burned a U.S. flag.
In Pakistan, protests took place at the U.S. embassy in Islamabad and in Peshawar, Karachi and Swat by the Jamaat-e-Islami, while demonstrations were held in Lahore by the Tehreek-e-Hurmat-e-Rasool and in Multan by Jamiat Talba Arbia and Shehri Mahaz.
In the United Kingdom, a mob of 200 people gathered outside the U.S. embassy in London, burning the U.S. and Israeli flags.