Friday, October 31, 2008 Free Headline Alerts
NICOSIA — The United States has informed Americans in Syria there may be repercussions in the wake of a U.S. strike in Syrian territory near the Iraqi border.
Officials said the State Department has concluded that the regime of President Bashar Assad could order an attack on Americans in Syria in retaliation for a U.S. strike along the Iraqi-Syrian border. Syria has accused the U.S. military of an air strike in northwestern Syria that killed at least eight people.
"The American community in Syria should be aware that unforeseen events or circumstances may occur that could cause the U.S. embassy in Damascus to close to the public for an unspecified period of time," the U.S. embassy in Damascus said.
The United States has acknowledged the air strike on Oct. 26. Officials said the attack targeted a leading Al Qaida operative in Iraq.
On Oct. 28, Syria has ordered the closure of the U.S. Cultural Center, linked to the embassy, and the U.S.-sponsored Damascus Community School in Damascus. The closure did not take place immediately.
"The U.S. administration could not be serious if it thinks that such terrorist behavior would make Syria accept occupation," the Syrian state daily A-Thawra newspaper said.