TRAVEL WARNING - SYRIA

UNCLAS SECTION 01 OF 02 STATE 013432

SIPDIS

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: CASC PTER ASEC SY
SUBJECT: TRAVEL WARNING - SYRIA


1. This Travel Warning warns U.S. citizens of ongoing safety
and security concerns in Syria. American citizens are
urged to consider carefully the risks of travel to Syria
and to take adequate precautions to ensure their safety.
This supersedes the Travel Warning for Syria issued on
April 15, 2008.

2. On multiple occasions throughout January 2009, thousands
of Syrians protested in mostly government-orchestrated
rallies against Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip.
While these events were largely peaceful, in one instance a
few hundred protestors challenged police lines outside the
Egyptian Embassy in downtown Damascus and were dispersed by
means of non-lethal force. At least seven smaller-scale
and non-violent demonstrations have occurred in central
Damascus and other urban centers.

3. On October 30, 2008, the Syrian Government allowed a
large-scale demonstration in central Damascus to take place
with the aim of protesting an alleged U.S. military action
at the Syrian/Iraqi border that had occurred earlier that
week. Security concerns related to the demonstration
prompted a temporary closure of the U.S. Embassy for one
day. In response to the same alleged incident, the Syrian
Government ordered the immediate closure of the Damascus
Community School, the American Language Center, and the
American Cultural Center on November 4, 2008. They remain
closed until further notice.

4. On October 9, 2008, Syrian authorities raided Yarmouk
refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus and killed three
terrorist suspects. On September 27, 2008, a car bomb
exploded in a southern suburb of Damascus in proximity to a
Syrian intelligence installation, killing and wounding
numerous civilians. On August 3, 2008, a Syrian general
was assassinated near Tartous. On February 12, 2008, an
explosion in the residential Kafer Soseh neighborhood of
Damascus killed a senior Hizbollah operative. In
September, 2006, the U.S. Embassy in Damascus was attacked
by terrorists armed with guns, grenades, and a car bomb.
In February 2006, violent anti-western demonstrations
resulted in significant damage to four embassies near the
U.S. Embassy.

5. A number of terrorist groups have offices in Syria.
Since 1979, the United States has designated Syria a State
Sponsor of Terrorism due to its support for organizations
such as Hizbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad.
In addition, other extremist groups are present in Syria.
These groups have the potential to be either the targets of
or perpetrators of acts of violence.

6. U.S. citizens who remain in or travel to Syria are
strongly encouraged to register at the Consular section of
the U.S. Embassy in Damascus or via the
www.travel.state.gov internet based registration website,
and to obtain updated information on travel and security in
Syria. Those registering should give due consideration to
Privacy Act provisions and waivers. Americans in Syria are
reminded they should review their personal security
practices, including exercising caution and taking prudent
measures to maintain their security and that of family
members. These measures include being aware of their
surroundings, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, avoiding
loitering in areas with concentrations of people such as
hotels, theaters, bus stations, and schools. American
citizens should keep a low profile, vary times and routes
for all travel, and ensure their travel documents are
current.

7. Syrian officials do not notify the American Embassy when
American citizens are arrested. Syrian officials do not
inform detained American citizens that they have the right
to request consular access. In detention/arrest cases, the
U.S. Embassy usually learns of a detained American via
third parties, such as relatives or friends of the
detained. In the event an American citizen is detained,

STATE 00013432 002 OF 002


he/she should continue to request consular access and the
right to speak to the U.S. Embassy.

8. The Syrian government is acutely sensitive when it comes
to the security of its borders. A passport and Syrian visa
are required to enter Syrian territory. Visas must be
obtained prior to arrival in Syria from a Syrian diplomatic
mission located in the traveler's country of residence.
The U.S. Embassy is aware that some persons have been able
to obtain visas at Syrian border crossings. However, the
issuance of a Syrian border visa is in no way certain, and
the U.S. Embassy wishes to dissuade American travelers from
attempting to enter Syria in this manner.


9. Syrian Immigration services closely track foreign
visitors, especially students. Syrian Immigration has been
known to deny re-entry to Syria even to Americans with
valid dual- or multi-entry visas in their passports.
Several Americans have been refused re-entry to Syria after
spending weekends in Jordan or Lebanon. The Embassy cannot
assist Americans in gaining re-entry to Syria or in
retrieving their belongings from Syria if they are denied
reentry.

10. U.S. consular personnel remain available to provide
emergency information and services to American citizens.
The U.S. Embassy in Damascus, Syria, is located at 2, Al-
Mansour St., Abu Roumaneh. The Embassy telephone number is
(963) (11) 3391-4444, fax (963) (11) 331-9678, e-mail:
acsdamascus@state.gov. American citizens may register with
the Embassy online by visiting
https://travelregistration.state.gov/ibrs. Additional
information may be found on the Embassy website at
http://damascus.usembassy.gov/

11. Updated information on travel and security in Syria may
be obtained from the Department of State by calling 1-888-
407-4747 within the United States and Canada or, from
overseas, 1-202-501-4444. Additional details can be found
in the Department of State's Country Specific Information
for Syria, and the Worldwide Caution, which are available
on the Department's Internet website at
http://travel.state.gov.


12. Minimize considered.
CLINTON