US authorizes families to leave Syria

WASHINGTON – The United States Sunday said it authorized family members of US government employees to leave Syria as it heightened a travel warning for the country being roiled by political unrest.
“The US Department of State warns US citizens of the potential for ongoing political and civil unrest in Syria,” the department said in a statement.
“We urge US citizens to defer non-essential travel to Syria at this time. The Department of State has authorized the voluntary departure of all eligible family members of US government employees. US citizens in Syria should closely examine their security situation in light of this and other recent developments and consider departing Syria.”
The statement updated a warning issued March 31 and reiterated some of the precautions called for at that time.
President Bashar al-Assad is facing unprecedented pressure for his 11-year rule as protesters demand greater freedoms and test his family’s four-decade grip on power.
Activists estimate more than 130 people have been killed in clashes with security forces, mainly in Daraa and Latakia. Officials put the death toll at closer to 30.
US citizens were advised against all travel to the coastal city of Latakia as well as the southern city of Dera’a and the surrounding towns and villages where protests have been occurring.
“Demonstrations in those areas have been violently suppressed by Syrian security forces and there are reports of curtailed telecommunications, ongoing disturbances and live gunfire in various neighborhoods in the region,” the statement said.
“Demonstrations in other major population centers, including Damascus, Aleppo, Homs and Hama, have degenerated on several occasions into violent clashes between security forces and protesters, resulting in deaths, injuries, and property damage. We remind US citizens that even demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.”