ERBIL Kurdistan Region - The United States on Friday issued a warning of the possibility of attacks during the Muslim Eid al-Fitr holiday and called on its nationals to leave Syria.
“The U.S. Department of State cautions U.S. citizens of the increased possibility of attacks during Eid al-Fitr holiday, which could target embassies, international organizations, and Syrian public institutions in Damascus,” the department said in a statement.
“Methods of attack could include, but are not limited to, individual attackers, armed gunmen, or the use of explosive devices,” the statement added.
Washington called on its nationals to leave Syria, avoid large gatherings, and prepare emergency shelter plans.
Eid al-Fitr is an important celebration in the Islamic calendar, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The US Embassy in Damascus suspended operations in 2012 as the security situation deteriorated with the outbreak of the civil war. It maintains a section for US interests at the Czech Republic’s embassy.
Syria’s civil war dramatically reignited late last year when a coalition of rebel groups led by the Islamist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a blistering offensive that culminated in the ousting of Bashar al-Assad as Damascus fell, ending decades of Baathist rule.
After HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was appointed interim president in late January, he vowed to uphold the rights of all ethnic and religious groups. However, the international community has repeatedly censured the new Damascus leadership for its treatment of minority populations.
In early March, Damascus faced widespread condemnation after a violent crackdown on Assad loyalists in the coastal Alawite-majority areas, where at least 1,500 people were killed - mostly civilians - according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.
The Islamic State (ISIS) also remains a threat, especially in the east of the country.
“The U.S. Department of State cautions U.S. citizens of the increased possibility of attacks during Eid al-Fitr holiday, which could target embassies, international organizations, and Syrian public institutions in Damascus,” the department said in a statement.
“Methods of attack could include, but are not limited to, individual attackers, armed gunmen, or the use of explosive devices,” the statement added.
Washington called on its nationals to leave Syria, avoid large gatherings, and prepare emergency shelter plans.
Eid al-Fitr is an important celebration in the Islamic calendar, marking the end of the holy month of Ramadan.
The US Embassy in Damascus suspended operations in 2012 as the security situation deteriorated with the outbreak of the civil war. It maintains a section for US interests at the Czech Republic’s embassy.
Syria’s civil war dramatically reignited late last year when a coalition of rebel groups led by the Islamist Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) launched a blistering offensive that culminated in the ousting of Bashar al-Assad as Damascus fell, ending decades of Baathist rule.
After HTS leader Ahmed al-Sharaa was appointed interim president in late January, he vowed to uphold the rights of all ethnic and religious groups. However, the international community has repeatedly censured the new Damascus leadership for its treatment of minority populations.
In early March, Damascus faced widespread condemnation after a violent crackdown on Assad loyalists in the coastal Alawite-majority areas, where at least 1,500 people were killed - mostly civilians - according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights war monitor.
The Islamic State (ISIS) also remains a threat, especially in the east of the country.
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