US shuts Indonesia missions; more protests planned

A Muslim man waves a red and white Indonesian flag as he and his fellow protesters are engulfed in white smoke of tear gas fired by riot police officers during a protest against American-made film ‘Innocence of Muslims’ that ridicules Islam and depicts the Prophet Muhammad as a fraud, a womanizer and a madman, outside the US Embassy in Jakarta, Indonesia, Monday. AP

JAKARTA, Indonesia—The US has closed its diplomatic missions in Indonesia ahead of expected continuing protests over an anti-Islam film.

The American Embassy in Jakarta and consulate offices in Surabaya, Medan and Bali were closed Friday. The US Mission to the Association of Southeast Asian Nations also was shut.

Water cannons were deployed and spools of razor wire were rolled out in front of the embassy.

The embassy website warned that demonstrations could also focus on US businesses, especially fast food restaurants.

Large protests often follow Friday prayers in Indonesia. On Monday, a demonstration at the embassy turned violent when protesters hurled rocks and Molotov cocktails.

Muslims worldwide have been enraged over the American-produced film “Innocence of Muslims,” which denigrates the Prophet Muhammad.