SYRIA CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT 2009

UNCLAS DAMASCUS 000049 FOR DS/IP/NEA, NEA/ELA AMMAN FOR RSO E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC PTER SY SUBJECT: SYRIA CRIME AND SAFETY REPORT 2009 REF: 08 STATE 132056 ¶1. (U) Embassy Damascus Crime and Safety Report follows (corrected to remove SENSITIVE caption): OVERVIEW -------------- Syria is the only country designated by the United States Government as a state sponsor of terrorism to also maintain full diplomatic relations with the United States. Syria remains so designated because of its hosting and support for groups identified by the United States as terrorist organizations such as Hamas, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and others. The Syrian Arab Republic Government (SARG) is controlled by the secular-oriented Ba'ath party. Political power is largely concentrated among members of the minority Alawite sect, which is not associated with Islamist extremism. While it tolerates the presence of the above-listed terrorist groups and has reportedly facilitated the flow of third-country terrorist "foreign fighters" into Iraq, the SARG also maintains a strong national security apparatus designed in part to monitor and neutralize extremist threats to the regime. The SARG recognizes that terrorist operations against American and/or Western targets on Syrian soil run contrary to Syria's interests, especially given its efforts to expand ties to the West and develop its tourism industry, and it works to deter and counter threats of anti-Western terrorist acts in Syria. Events in 2008 demonstrated the danger of Syria emerging as a victim as well as a sponsor of terrorism. Attacks by Sunni extremists against SARG targets in Damascus and beyond, significant crackdowns by SARG security forces against local Islamists, and calls by senior Al Qaeda leaders and other Sunni extremists to expand violence into the Levant all call into question prior assumptions that terror organizations could find safe haven in return for not conducting operations within Syria. Syria has remained in a state of declared war with Israel since 1948, and it continues to demand the return of the Golan Heights, occupied by Israel during the 1967 war. Any escalation of tensions between Israel and Syria into armed conflict would likely have a direct and immediate impact on the safety and security environment for Americans in Syria. In 2008, the SARG and Israel participated in indirect talks through Turkish intermediaries, with direct peace talks possible for the future. POLITICAL VIOLENCE -------------- The reported October 26 operation by US forces in Syria to eliminate Al Qaeda in Iraq facilitator Abu Ghadyia sparked a series of backlashes from the Syrian government against US affiliated entities in Syria. A large, SARG-organized demonstration featured thousands of civil servants and students dragooned by the regime to participate in a morning of anti-American speeches. The SARG and government-controlled media issued statements and "news" regarding the incident designed to inflame public opinion against the United States. The U.S.-affiliated Damascus Community School was ordered closed and all teachers deported within a week. The American Cultural Center and American Language Center were also closed by the SARG. On September 27, 2008 a large car bomb detonated at the Palestine Branch Office of the Syrian Military Intelligence in south Damascus. Seventeen people were killed and many more injured. The bombing may have been "retaliation" by militants against the security services' more aggressive posture towards Sunni extremist activities, which the SARG views as a threat to the regime. The weeks following the bombing saw a large-scale crackdown during which several raids against suspected militants were reported throughout Syria. These raids brought reported seizures of firearms, suicide vests, and explosive laden vehicles. The most recent direct attack on U.S. Government facilities in Syria was on September 12, 2006, when four terrorists armed with automatic weapons, hand grenades and crude vehicle-borne improvised explosive devices (VBIED) attacked the US Embassy in Damascus. The terrorists, a Syrian police officer, and at least two bystanders were killed in the ensuing 30-minute firefight between the attackers and local authorities. Two high-profile assassinations further illustrate Syria's unpredictable political violence environment. In February, Hezbollah operative and internationally pursued terrorist Imad Mughinyeh was killed in a car bomb blast in Damascus' Kafer Souseh neighborhood within a few hundred meters of several U.S. Embassy residences. He was suspected of masterminding attacks on the US Marine barracks and Embassy in Beirut, along with several other incidents in the 1980s. In August, senior Syrian Presidential advisor Mohamed Suleiman was shot dead outside a beach villa near the coastal city of Tartous in what appeared to be a very professional and well-coordinated assassination; the culprit has not been identified. The security environment in Syria is also closely tied to ongoing political developments in Lebanon. In February 2005, Rafik Hariri, the former Prime Minister of Lebanon, was assassinated in Beirut. Public unrest following this attack precipitated the withdrawal of Syrian forces from Lebanon, the US recalled the ambassador to Syria in response to apparent SARG connections to the killing, and a United Nations investigation was launched. The UN investigation has encountered many setbacks, including the killings of key witnesses, but is widely believed to be on track for prosecution in the International Criminal Court at the Hague in early 2009. If the prosecution extends to figures within the security services, the SARG may become more hostile toward western interests in Syria. Also having the potential to raise SARG defensiveness is the ongoing International Atomic Energy Commission investigation into the suspected Syrian nuclear facility bombed by Israel in 2007. Protest demonstrations are rare in Syria, unless organized by the government, and are subject to tight controls when permitted. The SARG-organized demonstration against an alleged US military incursion in Syria, as well as protests against the U.S.-Iraq Status of Forces Agreement and the situation in Gaza were all staged well away from the U.S. Embassy, with extensive security coverage provided for diplomatic facilities. In February 2006, however, mobs protesting the publication of cartoons depicting the prophet Mohammed caused significant damage to four Western embassies. Large, violent demonstrations against the U.S. Embassy occurred in 1998 and 2000. CRIME THREATS -------------- Syria enjoys a relatively low crime rate, due to strong cultural mores against property crime and to the pervasive police and security presence throughout the city. Visitors should be aware, however, that "low crime" does not mean "crime-free." The last few years have seen an increase in reported crimes against Americans/Westerners in Damascus compared with the early 2000's: --In late 2007/early 2008 there was a string of acid attacks against women wearing western style jeans. While no westerners reported being a victim of such attack, they fit the demographic that was targeted for wearing "un-Islamic" attire. In February 2008, a mission employee reported her neighbor who was the wife of a diplomat at another western mission was assaulted by a man she surprised loitering in the stairwell of her building. The man was not apprehended, and his intentions are not known. In February 2008, a mission employee was verbally harassed and told "You Americans are not welcome here," after he avoided stepping on an Israeli flag that had been placed on the ground out of disrespect in a shopping area. In March 2008, a mission spouse was riding in a taxi and upon sensing an anti-American sentiment from the driver said she was from another country when asked where she was from. Upon hearing this, the driver told her "Good, because if you were American I would kill you." In May 2008, while a mission member was jogging, a Syrian military vehicle pulled up next to him and mimicked actions of running him off the road. In June 2008, a mission employee's vehicle was broken into and contents stolen in a popular shopping district. In June 2008, the wife of a mission employee was followed and harassed as she walked in her upper scale neighborhood. The perpetrator attempted to grab and kiss her before she could get into her building. In October 2008, during an open function, counterfeit 500 Syrian Pound notes were passed at the Marine Bar. The Syrian police readily apprehended the culprit when he returned again to the Marine Bar. In addition, Syria is currently home to several US citizen children who have been abducted by parents who do not have legal custody in the US courts. Syria is a non-signatory to the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. ROAD SAFETY -------------- Driving in Syria can be a harrowing experience. Many drivers are aggressive and there is only sporadic enforcement of traffic laws. Rights-of-way are confusing and traffic signs, lane markers, one-way streets, and even the directions of traffic policemen are routinely ignored. Most Americans assigned to Damascus for two years or longer usually experience some sort of minor vehicle accident. Incidents involving injuries to vehicle occupants are relatively rare in the city, largely because Damascus' heavy traffic prevents cars from achieving high speeds. Accidents involving pedestrians occur frequently, however, and have resulted in serious injuries and occasional fatalities. Outside Damascus vehicles routinely travel at high speed, and road construction areas are poorly marked. Many vehicles in rural areas are not roadworthy, and overcrowded public transport vehicles are frequently involved in accidents involving multiple fatalities. Medical services and emergency response services in the rural areas are limited. Driving outside of Damascus at night is strongly discouraged. Defensive driving is absolutely required throughout Syria, and seat belts should be worn at all times. Motorists are advised to avoid using cell phones while driving, although it is important to keep a cell phone in the car to call for help in case of an accident or breakdown. An incident of road rage directed against an Embassy vehicle was reported in May 2008 in which the vehicle was followed and the occupants harassed for approximately an hour from near the Jordanian border into Damascus. If riding in a taxi which is involved in a vehicle accident, passengers should pay the fare and leave the area to avoid getting involved in any arguments over accidents. POST-SPECIFIC CONCERNS -------------- Visitors to Damascus should scrupulously avoid illegal activities. Failure to comply with local laws can result in arrest and detention for indeterminate lengths of time with no legal representation. Local authorities aggressively prosecute drug offenses. While alcoholic beverages can be legally bought and consumed in Syria, visitors should bear in mind that public intoxication is not well-regarded by the local population and police forces. Military areas or refugee camps should not be entered without clear official approval. Photographing military installations, bridges, harbors, or other sensitive sites is prohibited. Failure to follow restrictions against photography may result in a visitor being detained or deported. Entry into Syria without the proper visas and entry inspection is not tolerated. In October 2008, two journalists who entered Syria without permission were detained for a week prior to being expelled. In addition to the property crimes reported above, there have been several recent reports of harassment of female Americans and other Westerners in downtown Damascus. The victims reported being the object of loud taunting and whistling from groups of young men. In a 2007 case, a female American reported being the victim of attempted sexual assault on two occasions while en route to Damascus via public transport. In previous years, women have reported unwanted sexual advances from taxi drivers. Visitors are advised to ride in the rear of taxicabs, on the far side from the driver. Female visitors are advised to dress conservatively in public and to travel in pairs when visiting shopping areas or crowded commercial districts where young males tend to loiter. Shorts, for example, are not appropriate attire for men or women except in private settings with close associates. POLICE RESPONSE -------------- Despite a relatively high police-to-population ratio, Syrian law enforcement officers are generally ill-equipped and not trained to western standards of policing as their role differs from western police forces in that their primary objective is preservation of the regime. Response time varies and can be lengthy depending on the type of incident; especially in rural areas, police may lack transport to crime scenes. Few police officers speak English. Partly because many police officers subsist on less than a living wage, corruption has been reported among a number of Syrian law enforcement agencies. Officers have repeatedly demanded payment for routine services and may be susceptible to bribery. If you are the victim of a crime, in addition to reporting to local police, contact the U.S. Embassy for assistance. If you are arrested for any reason, make every effort to ensure that the Embassy is contacted on your behalf; the police and security services do not notify the Embassy of Americans in custody. MEDICAL EMERGENCIES -------------- The quality of medical care varies widely in Syria. Physicians and facilities offered by some of Damascus' private hospitals and clinics may approach U.S. standards, but public hospitals and rural facilities generally often lack the resources to provide a Western standard of care. Private Hospitals (all numbers preceded by country/city codes 963-11) Shami Hospital (ambulance service provided) 373-5090 Shifa Hospital 446-5340 Italian Hospital 332-6030 Snan Hospital 224-1640 Razi Hospital 611-8445 Government Hospitals (all numbers preceded by country/city codes 963-11) Assad Hospital 212-650 Children's Hospital 224-5400 Damascus Hospital 221-3502 Mouassat Hospital 223-7800 Government Ambulance: Dial 110 (transport to the nearest government hospital) Syrian Red Crescent: 333-1441 Ministry of Health: 331-1115 TIPS ON HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM -------------- General precautions useful in any large city will help one from becoming a victim of crime in Damascus. Because newcomers are more susceptible to crime when they are still getting their bearings in an alien environment, visitors should maintain a high level of personal security awareness at all times. --Property crimes like pick-pocketing and purse-snatching are more likely to take place in shopping areas and other high-traffic locations where foreign visitors congregate. Maximum awareness is recommended in these areas. --Carry only as much cash as is required for the day's business, and store the remainder (along with passports, non-used credit cards and other valuables) in a secure location. If you must carry a large amount of cash, break it up in different pockets so you don't display it all when making a purchase. --Keep a low profile, and avoid obvious displays of wealth or nationality. --To the extent possible, vary your travel routes and times for your morning commute and your other activities around town. --Avoid demonstrations and large gatherings of people. Emergency telephone numbers (as dialed within Damascus) Ambulance 110 Police 112 Fire Department 113 Traffic Police 115 American Embassy -Working Hours (963 11) 3391-4444 -After Hours Emergency (963 11) 3391-3333 -Regional Security Office (963 11) 3391-3908 NOVINGER