OMAR AKOUR
Associated Press

AMMAN, Jordan (AP) — An accidental shooting at the U.S. Embassy in Jordan wounded two local guards Tuesday, authorities said.

Jordanian police spokesman Amer al-Sartawi said the shooting wounded one guard in the hand and the other in the leg. He described the shooting as an accident, but did not elaborate.

Edgar Vasquez, a spokesman for the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Near Eastern Affairs, said the incident happened as guards were moving between vehicles outside of the embassy.

“A gendarmerie officer’s weapon accidentally discharged inside the vehicle, injuring two officers,” Vasquez said. “We understand the incident has been ruled an accident and the government’s investigation has been closed.”

A man who identified himself as a U.S. Marine answered a call to the embassy Tuesday night and declined to comment, transferring the call to a mobile phone that was switched off.

Jordan is a main ally of the U.S. in the Middle East. However, the embassy there has been the scene of protests in the past over U.S. policy in the region.

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Associated Press writer Matthew Lee in Washington contributed to this report.

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