The United States government on Thursday called on all its citizens currently in Syria to “depart immediately while commercial transportation is available.” It comes as the bloody crackdown on anti-government protesters continues. At least 2,700 people have been killed since protests began in March, the United Nations reported. Citing the violent attack on the US Embassy earlier this summer and other embassies in Damascus by pro-government demonstrators, which saw embassy close for one day, the State Department cautioned, “we remind U.S. citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The statement said additional US sanctions imposed on August 18 against the government of Syria, the State Department warned US citizens that “demonstrations, and violent government reactions to them, can occur with little or no warning anytime and anywhere.” The United States and the European Union have called on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down, but Russia has refused to join the international community's condemnation, saying more time should be given to Assad to “implement reforms.” Protesters in recent days have been calling on the international community to intervene in order to protect their lives. BM
