On verge of civil war
Pro-Assad rally
Photo: EPA
US urges citizens to leave Syria 'immediately'
Embassy issues statement advising all Americans to leave Syria while commercial flights still operating
WASHINGTON – The US embassy in Damascus is calling all Americans to leave Syria
immediately while there are still commercial flights. The number of airlines operating in Syria has dropped considerably since the summer, a statement posted on the embassy's website on Wednesday noted.
The US stated it believes Syria is descending into a civil war and foreigners are therefore in danger.
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US Ambassador to Syria Robert Ford was meant to return to Damascus this week after leaving Syria for fear of his life. The US has now announced Ford will not be returning to his post. This signals that the US fears there is real danger for the ambassador's safety.
Syrians shot to death in Homs (Photo: AFP)
Meanwhile, CBS reported that Turkey has also warned its citizens against staying in Syria. The Turkish foreign ministry called on pilgrims who are en route to Mecca to avoid traveling back to Turkey by bus via Syria and instead take direct flights from Saudi Arabia.
The warning comes just two days after Syrian troops opened fire at two buses transporting Turkish citizens in what is thought to be an act of revenge over Turkish criticism of Assad's violent crackdown of protests. The Syrian president is under growing pressure to stop violence.
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