FLASH
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Ten people were killed during clashes near the US diplomatic mission in Pakistan, amid protests following the assassination of the Iranian leader.
U.S. Marines opened fire on protesters during an attack on the U.S. consulate in Karachi last weekend, two U.S. officials said Monday. It was a rare use of force at a diplomatic mission that could heighten tensions in Pakistan at a time of widespread protests following the assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader.
Ten people were killed on Sunday after protesters breached the outer wall of the diplomatic compound, following attacks in Iran that killed Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
The two U.S. officials, citing preliminary information, said it was not clear whether the shots fired by the Marines wounded or killed anyone. They added that it was not known whether other forces protecting the mission, including private security guards and local police, were also shot.
This is the first confirmation from US officials that Marines were involved in the shooting of protesters.
Provincial government spokesman Sukhdev Assardas Hemnani stated that "security forces" opened fire, without specifying which structure they belonged to.
Day-to-day security operations at US diplomatic missions are typically handled by private contractors and local forces. The involvement of the Marines in this incident indicates that the consulate viewed the threat as serious.
Pakistan has the world's second-largest Shiite community after Iran. On Monday, authorities banned large gatherings across the country as protests against the attacks in Iran spread. At least 26 people have been killed nationwide, according to reports.
On Sunday, protesters chanted “Death to America! Death to Israel!” outside the consulate. Reuters reporters heard gunfire and saw tear gas being used in surrounding streets.
Videos posted on social media appear to show at least one protester firing a gun towards the consulate, while bloodied demonstrators flee the area during the shooting.
A Karachi police official told Reuters that the shots came from inside the consulate premises.
The U.S. Marines referred media questions to the U.S. military, which in turn referred them to the State Department. The State Department did not respond to a request for comment.
Shiite community leaders have called for further protests in Lahore and Karachi, despite a national ban on public gatherings.
The US embassy in Pakistan is located in the capital Islamabad, while the country has two other consulates in Peshawar and Lahore.
Roads leading to the US consulate in Karachi were blocked and the area was heavily policed. Similar security measures were also in place near the US missions in Lahore and Islamabad.
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