US embassy in Syria shut because of possible demos

by Dave Keating | October 30, 2008 at 12:41 am

53 views | 0 Recommendations | 0 comments

The US embassy in Syria has been closed following a diplomatic row between the two countries. This disagreement is over an aircraft attack by the US on the Syrian border.

The US embassy in Damascus said it will be closed on Thursday because of the threat of demonstrations over a deadly American helicopter raid on a village near the Iraqi border at the weekend.

"Due to increased security concerns, the US embassy will be closed on Thursday, October 30, 2008," it said on its website.

It said a demonstration was reportedly planned for Thursday in downtown Damascus and "therefore, American citizens should avoid these vicinities as well as the vicinity of the US embassy in Damascus."

"In addition, the US embassy will be closed on October 30 due to past demonstrations which resulted in violence and significant damage to US facilities and other embassies," it said, adding that the American school in the Syrian capital would also be temporarily closed.