Warden Messages
Explosion in Damascus -- Closing of Damascus Community School and U.S. Embassy Damascus Consular Section from September 28 thru the Eid al Fitr Holidays
The Embassy of the United States of America in Damascus wishes to inform the American community that an explosion occurred on the morning of September 27 in the area of south Damascus. According to preliminary reports there were several persons killed and injured as a result of the explosion.
Due to heightened security concerns, the Damascus Community School will be closed starting on the 28th of September until after the end of the Eid al Fitr holidays, with school resuming on October 5. In addition, the U.S. Embassy Damascus’ consular section will be closed to the public for visa services and routine American citizen services for the same period. The consular section will continue to assist American citizens in case of emergency.
While there is no information to suggest today’s local incident was targeted against U.S. interests, the recent terrorist attacks against the U.S. Embassy in Sana’a, Yemen and the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan are reminders that there is a continued threat of terrorist attacks, demonstrations and other violent actions against U.S. citizens and their interests overseas.
For the latest security information, Americans living and traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State’s Bureau of Consular Affairs Internet website at http://travel.state.gov, where the current Worldwide Caution, Travel Warning for Syria and Travel Warnings for neighboring countries and regions, as well as Country Specific Information for Syria can be found. Up-to-date information on security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free in the United States and Canada or, for callers outside the United States and Canada, a regular toll line at 1-202-501-4444. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays)
The U.S. Embassy in Damascus can be reached 24 hours a day at 963-11-3391-4444; the fax number is 963-11-3391-3999. The Embassy’s web site, which includes consular information and the most recent messages to the American community in Damascus, is at http://damascus.usembassy.gov.