U.S. preparing to close embassy in Syria [View all]

[maddezmom]

Last edited Fri Jan 20, 2012, 05:22 PM - Edit history (2)

By Karen DeYoung and Liz Sly, Updated: Friday, January 20, 3:05 PM

The Obama administration is preparing to close the U.S. embassy in Damascus and evacuate all American personnel by the end of this month amid rapid deterioration of the security situation in Syria, senior administration officials said.

The embassy will be shuttered, officials said, unless embattled Syrian President Bashar al-Assad provides enhanced protection that he has so far been unwilling to authorize. “Unless we see that, we have no choice,” said one U.S. official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity to speak about internal planning on the Syrian crisis.

The move follows a recent spate of car bombings. Although the administration has not ruled out Syrian government responsibility for the attacks, officials said signs point to Syrian and Iraqi militants that have been affiliated with al-Qaeda.

more:http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-preparing-close-embassy-in-syria/2012/01/20/gIQAhOxREQ_story.html



U.S. probes report of American's arrest in Syria

(CNN) -- The U.S. government is looking into reports of an arrest of a U.S. citizen in Syria, a senior State Department official told CNN on Friday.

The arrest of a man named Abdelkadar Chaar possibly took place in Aleppo on January 8, the official said.

"We have been in contact with the Syrian authorities and have requested confirmation of the arrest and consular access," he said.

The man's uncle said the family has been in contact with the U.S. Embassy in Damascus. The family has also reached out to Sen. Charles Schumer of New York, but has yet to receive a response from his office, Sam Chaar said.

Abdelkadar Chaar, 22, was born in Syracuse, New York, moved to Aleppo with his parents when he was a boy and is currently a medical student at Aleppo University, his uncle said. He was arrested early in the morning on January 8; his family has not been told why, the elder Chaar said.

more: http://www.cnn.com/2012/01/20/world/meast/syria-us-citizen/index.html

The Syrian Expatriates Organization Reports That American Citizen, Obada Mzaik, is Missing in Syria

Detroit, MI (PRWEB) January 20, 2012

The Syrian Expatriates Organization reports that: on Jan 03-2012, U.S. born American citizen Obada Mzaik disappeared in Damascus, Syria as reported by Obada's family member Mr. Firas Naashef in Detroit Michigan.

According to flight records, Obada Mzaik departed from Detroit Metro Airport on January 03-2012 on board a Royal Jordanioan Airliner, flight number RJ268 connecting in Amman, Jordan on flight RJ 435 bound to Damascus, Syria. He was never seen exiting the immigration clearance at Damascus airport according to Obada's receiving family in Syria.

The U.S embassy was promptly informed of Obada's disappearance. The family has attempted to follow up with Syrian authorities and the U.S. Embassy in Damascus but has been unsuccessful in securing any information that pertains to his whereabouts.

Obada Mzaik is a 21 year old American citizen. He is a civil engineering student at Al-Yarmouk University in Damascus, Syria. He attended Fall classes at Oakland Community College in Farmington Hills, Michigan where he also has family members there.

more:http://www.prweb.com/releases/Syrian-Expatriate-Org/American-obada-mzaik/prweb9120263.htm