U.S. Closes Syrian Embassy in Damascus as Violence Escalates
The U.S. has pulled out its diplomatic staff and closed its embassy in Damascus as violence and civilian deaths continue to rise.
Following on the heels of Russia and China's veto of a UN Security Council resolution that would have formally condemned the Syrian regime's use of violence against civilians, the regime is allegedly stepping up attacks to start the week. Contacts on the ground in Syria claim that government forces are using rockets and mortar fire to attack civilians, resulting in hundreds of confirmed deaths and countless injuries. The attacks are being described as indiscriminate, with women and children often among the dead and wounded.
The Syrian city of Homs is the current hot zone where a large amount of the violence is taking place. Members of Syria's opposition groups have openly lamented the failure of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution over the weekend. "The U.N. gave them the green light to inflict more violence," said an opposition member known as Danny. "If it wasn't for the U.N., they wouldn't have did this. It gave them the OK to kill more. If the U.N. had done something about this, this regime would be a little bit scared."
Of course, the Syrian regime claims that the violence and killings are being perpetrated by groups of terrorists and that government forces are actually trying to protect themselves and Syrian citizens from the attacks. Because of the tightly enforced media blackout in the country, it is difficult for foreign journalists to corroborate information, especially as it flows so disjointedly from various factions on the ground.
Officials from Russia and China have denied accusations from the US and others that their veto of the Security Council resolution has resulted in the increase in violence. Syria maintains strong trade relations with both China and Russia, and diplomats from both countries expressed their concern that the wording of the Security Council resolution would have only complicated the deteriorating situation within Syria.
The Syrian city of Homs is the current hot zone where a large amount of the violence is taking place. Members of Syria's opposition groups have openly lamented the failure of the UN Security Council to pass a resolution over the weekend. "The U.N. gave them the green light to inflict more violence," said an opposition member known as Danny. "If it wasn't for the U.N., they wouldn't have did this. It gave them the OK to kill more. If the U.N. had done something about this, this regime would be a little bit scared."
Of course, the Syrian regime claims that the violence and killings are being perpetrated by groups of terrorists and that government forces are actually trying to protect themselves and Syrian citizens from the attacks. Because of the tightly enforced media blackout in the country, it is difficult for foreign journalists to corroborate information, especially as it flows so disjointedly from various factions on the ground.
Officials from Russia and China have denied accusations from the US and others that their veto of the Security Council resolution has resulted in the increase in violence. Syria maintains strong trade relations with both China and Russia, and diplomats from both countries expressed their concern that the wording of the Security Council resolution would have only complicated the deteriorating situation within Syria.
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