State Department lifts Syria travel warning

In the department of "things that should have been done a long time ago," the U.S. State Department has finally lifted its Syria travel warning.

I was never entirely clear on why Syria fell under a travel warning in the first place: The State Department's warning (which has since been removed from the Internet) never referenced any specific threats -- just some ominous language about "large-scale demonstrations" in Damascus, and the fact that Hamas and Hizballah have offices in the country. It always struck me as a product of politics, not legitimate security concerns.

In any event, glad to see it has been lifted. The State Department's full announcement is after the jump.

The State Department periodically reviews its travel warnings to ensure that they are up to date. Our goal is always to help American citizens make informed decisions about their travels and to be aware of any potential safety and security issues abroad.

After carefully assessing the current situation in Syria, we determined that circumstances did not merit extending this Travel Warning.

The current series of travel warnings were enacted in September 2006 following an attack against the Embassy, and were not based upon Syria being designated as a State Sponsor of Terror. Being a State Sponsor of Terrorism is not a basis for a travel warning.

We have taken the decision to remove the current Travel Warning because the security situation no longer merits one. Review of the security situation is ongoing and we can disseminate a new Travel Warning as circumstances merit.

We detail our concerns about Syria in the Country Specific Information sheet on Syria, which is available at travel.state.gov. This document talks about Syria's ties to terrorist organizations and provides other pertinent information on safety and security in Syria.

We encourage all Americans who are thinking of traveling abroad to read the Country Specific Information sheets for the countries they wish to visit.

This decision was based solely on our careful assessment of the security situation on the ground in Syria and has no relationship to political discussions.

Our assessment of the security situation is subject to ongoing review and can change at any time.

And, for posterity, here's the old travel warning on Syria, which has since disappeared down the memory hole.

This Travel Warning warns U.S. citizens of ongoing safety and security concerns in Syria. American citizens are urged to consider carefully the risks of travel to Syria and to take adequate precautions to ensure their safety. This supersedes the Travel Warning for Syria issued on April 15, 2008.

On multiple occasions throughout January 2009, thousands of Syrians protested in mostly government-orchestrated rallies against Israeli military actions in the Gaza Strip. While these events were largely peaceful, in one instance a few hundred protestors challenged police lines outside the Egyptian Embassy in downtown Damascus and were dispersed by means of non-lethal force. At least seven smaller-scale and non-violent demonstrations have occurred in central Damascus and other urban centers.

On October 30, 2008, the Syrian Government allowed a large-scale demonstration in central Damascus to take place with the aim of protesting an alleged U.S. military action at the Syrian/Iraqi border that had occurred earlier that week. Security concerns related to the demonstration prompted a temporary closure of the U.S. Embassy for one day. In response to the same alleged incident, the Syrian Government ordered the immediate closure of the Damascus Community School, the American Language Center, and the American Cultural Center on November 4, 2008. They remain closed until further notice.

On October 9, 2008, Syrian authorities raided Yarmouk refugee camp on the outskirts of Damascus and killed three terrorist suspects. On September 27, 2008, a car bomb exploded in a southern suburb of Damascus in proximity to a Syrian intelligence installation, killing and wounding numerous civilians. On August 3, 2008, a Syrian general was assassinated near Tartous. On February 12, 2008, an explosion in the residential Kafer Soseh neighborhood of Damascus killed a senior Hizbollah operative. In September, 2006, the U.S. Embassy in Damascus was attacked by terrorists armed with guns, grenades, and a car bomb. In February 2006, violent anti-western demonstrations resulted in significant damage to four embassies near the U.S. Embassy.

A number of terrorist groups have offices in Syria. Since 1979, the United States has designated Syria a State Sponsor of Terrorism due to its support for organizations such as Hizbollah, Hamas, and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In addition, other extremist groups are present in Syria. These groups have the potential to be either the targets of or perpetrators of acts of violence.

U.S. citizens who remain in or travel to Syria are strongly encouraged to register at the Consular section of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus or via the www.travel.state.gov internet based registration website, and to obtain updated information on travel and security in Syria. Those registering should give due consideration to Privacy Act provisions and waivers. Americans in Syria are reminded they should review their personal security practices, including exercising caution and taking prudent measures to maintain their security and that of family members. These measures include being aware of their surroundings, avoiding crowds and demonstrations, avoiding loitering in areas with concentrations of people such as hotels, theaters, bus stations, and schools. American citizens should keep a low profile, vary times and routes for all travel, and ensure their travel documents are current.

Syrian officials do not notify the American Embassy when American citizens are arrested. Syrian officials do not inform detained American citizens that they have the right to request consular access. In detention/arrest cases, the U.S. Embassy usually learns of a detained American via third parties, such as relatives or friends of the detained. In the event an American citizen is detained, he/she should continue to request consular access and the right to speak to the U.S. Embassy.