An attack on the U.S. Embassy in Yemen killed 16 Wednesday, though it failed to breach the inner walls of the building complex. The act, which has been claimed by the group Islamic Jihad, is probably a response to both an internal Yemeni crackdown against insurgent groups and the U.S. global “war on terror.”

The BBC:

The deadly car bombing outside the US embassy in Yemen represents an escalation in attacks against Western targets and shows al Qaeda-inspired jihadis are growing in ability and determination.

Islamic Jihad has claimed responsibility for the attack, which killed at least 16 people, but it is possible that other groups will come forward in the next few days.

There is a complex network of over-lapping splinter cells and claims of rival leadership within Yemen.

Extremist violence in Yemen has been on the rise since February 2006, when 23 prominent militants tunnelled their way out of a high-security jail.

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