US Embassy in Syria Issues Security Warning Amid Eid Al-Fitr Celebrations
Increased risk of attacks during Eid Al-Fitr prompts cautionary alerts to US citizens and other nationals.
The US embassy in Syria has issued a warning regarding an "increased possibility" of attacks coinciding with the upcoming Eid Al-Fitr holiday, which marks the conclusion of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan.
In a statement on its website, the embassy underscored concerns that embassies, international organizations, and Syrian public institutions in Damascus could be potential targets.
Eid Al-Fitr is expected to begin in the coming days, contingent upon the sighting of the crescent moon as per the Muslim lunar calendar.
The embassy's notice mentioned potential attack methods including individual assailants, armed gunmen, or explosive devices, although it did not specify any particular threats or responsible parties.
The ongoing security situation in Syria remains precarious following the overthrow of long-time President Bashar Assad by Islamist-led forces in December 2023, culminating nearly 14 years of conflict that erupted from the repression of anti-government protests in 2011. The US State Department has consistently advised against travel to Syria, citing risks of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.
The US embassy's operations in Syria have been suspended since 2012 due to the security environment.
In a related advisory, a French diplomatic source confirmed that warnings regarding heightened terror risks have also been communicated to French citizens currently in Syria.
In light of these security concerns, employees of international organizations in Syria have received warnings emphasizing precautionary measures during public gatherings in the approaching week.
With a rich history of armed conflict, Syria remains saturated with weapons and numerous armed groups, including various militant factions.
The transitional authorities in Syria are grappling with the security challenges inherent in the country's diverse ethnic and religious landscape, where new security forces predominantly comprise former Islamist rebels.
Recent security operations by the interior ministry have indicated ongoing efforts to counteract remnants of the Assad regime, including the seizure of weapons and explosives intended for unspecified terrorist activities.
In a noteworthy development last month, authorities reported the arrest of an alleged Daesh commander linked to a thwarted bomb plot targeting a significant Shiite Muslim shrine near Damascus.
This marks the first incident in which Syrian authorities have claimed to have successfully disrupted a Daesh attack.
Despite the territorial defeat of Daesh by US-backed Kurdish-led forces in 2019, the group continues to maintain a presence in Syria, particularly in the expansive desert regions.
In a statement on its website, the embassy underscored concerns that embassies, international organizations, and Syrian public institutions in Damascus could be potential targets.
Eid Al-Fitr is expected to begin in the coming days, contingent upon the sighting of the crescent moon as per the Muslim lunar calendar.
The embassy's notice mentioned potential attack methods including individual assailants, armed gunmen, or explosive devices, although it did not specify any particular threats or responsible parties.
The ongoing security situation in Syria remains precarious following the overthrow of long-time President Bashar Assad by Islamist-led forces in December 2023, culminating nearly 14 years of conflict that erupted from the repression of anti-government protests in 2011. The US State Department has consistently advised against travel to Syria, citing risks of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, and armed conflict.
The US embassy's operations in Syria have been suspended since 2012 due to the security environment.
In a related advisory, a French diplomatic source confirmed that warnings regarding heightened terror risks have also been communicated to French citizens currently in Syria.
In light of these security concerns, employees of international organizations in Syria have received warnings emphasizing precautionary measures during public gatherings in the approaching week.
With a rich history of armed conflict, Syria remains saturated with weapons and numerous armed groups, including various militant factions.
The transitional authorities in Syria are grappling with the security challenges inherent in the country's diverse ethnic and religious landscape, where new security forces predominantly comprise former Islamist rebels.
Recent security operations by the interior ministry have indicated ongoing efforts to counteract remnants of the Assad regime, including the seizure of weapons and explosives intended for unspecified terrorist activities.
In a noteworthy development last month, authorities reported the arrest of an alleged Daesh commander linked to a thwarted bomb plot targeting a significant Shiite Muslim shrine near Damascus.
This marks the first incident in which Syrian authorities have claimed to have successfully disrupted a Daesh attack.
Despite the territorial defeat of Daesh by US-backed Kurdish-led forces in 2019, the group continues to maintain a presence in Syria, particularly in the expansive desert regions.
