Image source: Wikimedia Commons

BY ZACH TOOMBS

Amid continued violence in Syria, President Obama’s administration is preparing to close the U.S. embassy in the embattled nation’s capitol. CNN has the report.

“The United States, we are told, is asking Syria to provide more security around the embassy. BUT the big issue now is they’re not sure the Syrians are going to follow through...”

The Washington Post broke the story Friday afternoon, citing State Department officials who say unless it sees increased security for the embassy, the Obama administration has no choice but to pull staff out of the country.

“The move follows a recent spate of car bombings. Although the administration has not ruled out Syrian government responsibility for the attacks, officials said signs point to Syrian and Iraqi militants that have been affiliated with al-Qaeda.”

And Foreign Policy magazine writes:

“Unlike newer embassy designs, the U.S. facility in Damascus sits right on the street, dangerously exposed... The embassy staff remains the administration's best eyes and ears on what's going on inside Syria, U.S. officials argue, as they maintain links with both the government and the opposition.”

As ABC News reports, the embassy closure would have an especially large impact in diplomatic ties with Syria because the U.S. ambassador there has played a very public role.

“(Ambassador Robert) Ford has been targeted by pro-government groups that have thrown rocks at his convoy and once trapped him inside the office of an opposition leader... Ambassador Ford has been one of (President Bashar al-Assad’s) most vocal critics inside Syria. He has defied government bans on travel by diplomats and has visited several restive cities.”

The situation in Syria has rapidly deteriorated over the past few months, as nationwide protests triggered a violent government crackdown from Syria’s military. Arab League monitors were supposed to have brought a watchful eye to the country where an estimated 5,000 citizens have been killed. But, as Al Jazeera reports, those monitors have had a minimal effect.

“Syrian opposition groups say the killings in the country have been on the rise, despite the presence of Arab League monitors.”

“They also say thousands of prisoners remain behind bars, despite the authorities agreeing to an Arab League peace plan that calls for their release.”