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