Syria Designated in 1979 as a State Sponsor of Terrorism, Syria continued its political and military support to various terrorist groups. The regime continued to provide weapons and political support to Hizballah and continued to allow Iran to rearm and finance the terrorist organization. The Assad regime’s relationship with Hizballah and Iran remained strong in ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 December, 2021 | Topics: News
PRESS STATEMENT ANTONY J. BLINKEN, SECRETARY OF STATE DECEMBER 7, 2021 Consistent with the goals of this week’s Summit for Democracy, the United States is committed to using its full range of tools to counter serious human rights abuse and repressive acts across the world. That is why today we designated multiple actors across three ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 December, 2021 | Topics: Press Releases
The following is the Joint Statement on the Syria Special Envoy Meeting.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 December, 2021 | Topics: Press Releases
President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. met today with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey on the margins of the G20 Summit. President Biden underscored his desire to maintain constructive relations, expand areas of cooperation, and manage our disagreements effectively. He expressed appreciation for Turkey’s nearly two decades of contributions to the NATO mission in Afghanistan. ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2021 | Topics: Press Releases
The continued spread of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a global threat to our health and safety. COVID-19 has resulted in more than 733,000 deaths in the United States and more than 4,932,000 deaths worldwide. New variants of SARS-CoV-2 have also emerged globally, and variants that are more transmissible or cause ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 October, 2021 | Topics: News
ISTANBUL – Last week, the U.S. Treasury Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary (DAS) for Strategic Policy Scott Rembrandt held a virtual meeting in Istanbul with representatives from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) engaged in humanitarian assistance for the Syrian people. DAS Rembrandt reinforced the U.S. government’s support for the flow of relief aid to vulnerable populations in the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 September, 2021 | Topics: Press Releases
United Nations Headquarters New York, New York 10:01 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Mr. President, Mr. Secretary-General, my fellow delegates, to all those who dedicate themselves to this noble mission of this institution: It’s my honor to speak to you for the first time as President of the United States. We meet this year in a ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 September, 2021 | Topics: Events, News, Speeches
Eight years ago, on the early morning of August 21, 2013, the Assad regime released the nerve agent sarin on its own people in the Ghouta district of Damascus, killing more than 1,400 Syrians, many of them children. The United States estimates that the Assad regime has used chemical weapons against the Syrian people at least 50 times since ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 August, 2021 | Topics: Events, News
SYRIA: TIER 3 The Government of Syria does not fully meet the minimum standards for the elimination of trafficking and is not making significant efforts to do so, even considering the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, if any, on the government’s anti-trafficking capacity; therefore Syria remained on Tier 3. During the reporting period, there was ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 August, 2021 | Topics: Human Rights
WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is sanctioning eight Syrian prisons run by the Assad regime’s intelligence apparatus, which have been sites of human rights abuses against political prisoners and other detainees.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 July, 2021 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States is taking action to promote accountability for entities and individuals that have perpetuated the suffering of the Syrian people.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 July, 2021 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States is designating one Turkey-based al-Qa’ida financial facilitator for materially assisting al-Qa’ida and one Syria-based terrorist fundraiser and recruiter for providing material support to Hay’at Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), a group linked with al-Qa’ida.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 July, 2021 | Topics: Press Releases
WASHINGTON — Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated one Turkey-based al-Qa’ida financial facilitator for materially assisting al-Qa’ida. Additionally, OFAC designated one Syria-based terrorist fundraiser and recruiter for providing material support to Hay’et Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS).
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 July, 2021 | Topics: Press Releases
By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 28 July, 2021 | Topics: Education, Video
“The United States cannot afford to be absent from the world stage: U.S. leadership and engagement makes an essential difference abroad, as well as at home. Indeed, in today’s interconnected world, our foreign and domestic policies are inextricably intertwined in pursuit of a preeminent goal – improving the lives of the American people. Many of ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 28 July, 2021 | Topics: Education
Executive Summary The constitution declares the state shall respect all religions and shall ensure the freedom to perform religious rituals as long as these “do not disturb the public order.” There is no official state religion. Sectarian violence continued due to tensions among religious groups that, according to nongovernmental organization (NGO) and media sources, was ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 June, 2021 | Topics: Human Rights, News
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY President Bashar Assad has ruled the Syrian Arab Republic since 2000. The constitution mandates the primacy of Baath Party leaders in state institutions and society, and Assad and Baath Party leaders dominated all three branches of government as an authoritarian regime. An uprising against the regime that began in 2011 continued throughout the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 May, 2021 | Topics: Human Rights
Statement by Special Envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn December 30, 2020 The United States categorically rejects the very basis of the statements on so-called “unilateral coercive measures” made by the Special Rapporteur. The Special Rapporteur’s attempt to blame Syria’s economic crisis on U.S. sanctions is misguided and false. The blame for Syria’s economic situation and humanitarian crisis falls ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 December, 2020 | Topics: News, Press Releases | Tags: Joel Rayburn, Special Envoy for Syria
PRESS STATEMENT
MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE NOVEMBER 9, 2020 Ambassador James F. Jeffrey, who has served for almost two and a half years as the Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, will retire from his roles this month. In August 2018 Ambassador Jeffrey came out of retirement at my request ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 9 November, 2020 | Topics: Events, News, Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT
MICHAEL R. POMPEO, SECRETARY OF STATE NOVEMBER 9, 2020 Today, the Department of State and the Department of the Treasury sanctioned 19 individuals and entities under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019 and other sanctions authorities. Just over five years ago, on October 30, 2015, Bashar al Assad’s forces, backed by Iran and Russia, killed over 70 ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 9 November, 2020 | Topics: Events, News, Press Releases
Statement by Special Envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 6 November, 2020 | Topics: Press Releases
Statement by Ambassador Jeffrey on Idlib Airstrike by Pro-Regime Forces Monday, October 26, 2020 We are very concerned by this dangerous escalation by pro-regime forces and apparent violation of the March 5 Idlib ceasefire agreement. By continuing their quest for a military victory, the Assad regime and its Russian and Iranian allies are threatening the stability ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 October, 2020 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Ambassador James Jeffrey September 16, 2020 The United States welcomes the UN’s Independent International Commission of Inquiry (COI) most recent report of human rights violations in the Syrian conflict. Once again, the COI has found reasonable grounds to believe that the Assad regime continues to commit crimes against humanity and acts that may amount to ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 September, 2020 | Topics: Ambassador, Press Releases
The United States is applauding the Executive Council of the world’s chemical weapons watchdog, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), for its adoption today of a decision that condemns Syria’s use of chemical weapons. This decision brings us one step closer to holding the Syrian regime accountable for its use of chemical ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 9 July, 2020 | Topics: News
Ambassador James Jeffrey July 8, 2020 The United States welcomes the UN Commission of Inquiry on Syria’s July 7 report. The Commission’s report, focusing on the period from November 2019 to June 2020, notes the devastating impacts of Syrian regime and Russian assaults in Idlib province on Syrian civilians, millions of whom were already displaced from their homes by the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 8 July, 2020 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Ambassador James Jeffrey, U.S. Special Representative for Syria Engagement and the Special Envoy to the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS; Richard Albright, Deputy Assistant Secretary, Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration; and Matthew Nims, Acting Deputy Assistant Administrator, U.S. Agency for International Development, Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance June 30, 2020 The Brussels Hub Moderator: Good afternoon ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 June, 2020 | Topics: Events, News
Ambassador Jeffrey’s Intervention at Brussels IV Tuesday, June 30 As prepared for delivery Good Morning, thank you to the EU, High Representative Borrell, UNSE Pedersen, and UNSG Lowcock for convening this session. We all know the sobering circumstances in Syria, with more than 11 million people in need of continual humanitarian assistance. The COVID-19 virus is worsening the existing humanitarian crisis, further exacerbated by displacement, high ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 June, 2020 | Topics: Events, News
The OPCW’s Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) concluded there are reasonable grounds to believe that Syrian Arab Air Force dropped aerial bombs containing sarin in Ltamenah on 24 and 30 March 2017, and dropped a cylinder containing chlorine on the Ltamenah hospital on 25 March 2017, further confirming the regime’s continued use of chemical weapons ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 8 April, 2020 | Topics: Press Releases
the Syrian people can continue to count on the United States to stand with them by delivering humanitarian assistance to people in need and working with teams on the ground to help mitigate the impact of the virus.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 March, 2020 | Topics: Press Releases
By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 March, 2020 | Topics: Alert, Exclude All, Notification
Nine years ago today, tens of thousands of Syrians peacefully took to the streets calling for respect for human rights and the end of government corruption. Instead of heeding the Syrian people’s legitimate demands, the Assad regime responded with a ruthless campaign of arbitrary arrests, detentions, torture, enforced disappearances, and violence.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 March, 2020 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Today in Turkey, the U.S. Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador Kelly Craft, announced $108 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Syria in response to the ongoing crisis caused by Assad regime, Russian, and Iranian forces.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 March, 2020 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We stand by our NATO Ally Turkey in the aftermath of the despicable and brazen February 27 attack on Turkish forces in Idlib, which resulted in the death of dozens of Turkish soldiers. We send our condolences to the Government of Turkey on their deaths. The United States condemns this attack in the strongest possible terms. The Assad ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 February, 2020 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States once again condemns the continued, unjustifiable, and ruthless assaults on the people of Idlib by the Assad regime, Russia, Iran, and Hizballah. The February 3 mortar attack on Turkish observation posts by the Assad regime forces is a grave escalation and follows ongoing vicious attacks impacting civilians, humanitarian workers, and infrastructure.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 February, 2020 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States is monitoring with grave concern the situation in northwest Syria where the combined forces of Russia, the Iranian regime, Hizballah, and the Assad regime reportedly are conducting a large-scale assault upon the people of Idlib and western Aleppo provinces. These forces reportedly are conducting indiscriminate aerial bombardment and ground attacks that have ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 28 January, 2020 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Today, the President signed into law the “Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019” (the Caesar Act), an important step in promoting accountability for the large-scale atrocities Bashar al Assad and his regime have carried out in Syria. The Caesar Act is named after a former photographer for the Syrian military who risked his life ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 December, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Foreign Ministers of Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America welcome the launch of the Constitutional Committee in Geneva on October 30, 2019.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
It is my privilege to be here in Geneva this week heading a U.S. diplomatic delegation that has come here to support the launching of the Constitutional Committee for Syria under the auspices of the United Nations.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 October, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
As the President has made clear, Turkey’s actions in northeast Syria severely undermine the D-ISIS campaign, endanger civilians, and threaten the security of the entire region. If Turkey’s operation continues, it will exacerbate a
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 October, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
We, the Foreign Ministers of Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America made the following statement on the urgent need for a lasting political solution for Syria, on the basis of United Nations Security Council 2254.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 September, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States welcomes UN Secretary General Guterres’ announcement that an agreement has been reached between the Government of Syria and the Syrian Negotiations Commission to form a Constitutional Committee facilitated by the United Nations in Geneva.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 September, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
It is deeply regrettable that the Council was not able to agree to a ceasefire resolution that would have saved lives in Idlib, especially as the Assad regime and its allies prepare to launch another offensive on the people of Idlib.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 20 September, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Secretary expressed concern over the horrific effects of attacks by the Assad regime and its allies against civilians, humanitarians, and infrastructure in Idlib, and he underscored the need for an immediate return to a ceasefire.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 August, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Six years ago, on August 21, 2013, the Assad regime launched a horrific chemical attack with the nerve agent sarin on the Ghouta district in Damascus – killing more than 1,400 Syrians, many of them children.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 August, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States welcomes news that a ceasefire has been declared in Northwest Syria, but what is truly important is that attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure must stop. We will appreciate any efforts undertaken towards this important goal.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 August, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the escalation of the Assad regime and the Russian Federation’s military operations in northwest Syria which have had a devastating impact on Syrian civilians, medical workers, humanitarians, and civilian infrastructure with an increasingly deadly air and ground assault.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 August, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
From July 22-24, Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, Ambassador James Jeffrey, held a series of meetings in Ankara with senior Turkish officials, including Presidential Spokesperson Ibrahim Kalin, Defense Minister Hulusi Akar, and Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 July, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
PRESS STATEMENT MORGAN ORTAGUS, DEPARTMENT SPOKESPERSON JULY 23, 2019 The United States condemns yesterday’s airstrikes in Maarat Al Numan City in southern Idlib. These airstrikes hit civilian homes and the city’s market, reportedly taking the lives of over 35 innocent men, women, and children and leaving little but rubble behind. For almost three months, ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 July, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
We, the Political Directors of the Global Coalition to Defeat Daesh/ISIS Small Group, met today in Paris at the invitation of French Minister of Foreign Affairs Jean-Yves le Drian to reaffirm our determination to continue the fight against Daesh/ISIS i
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 25 June, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
Special Representative Ambassador Jeffrey Travels to Europe and the Middle East
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 June, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The regime’s military escalation is unacceptable and it poses a reckless and irresponsible threat to the security and stability of this region.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 June, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
There’s no clearer example of the regime’s starve and surrender strategy than in Rukban. Humanitarian conditions are deplorable as the result of the regime’s refusal to allow the UN to deliver aid on a regular basis to the thousands of people living there. Many of these people came to Rukban to escape the regime’s attacks ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 May, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The Administration is pursuing three mutually reinforcing whole-of-government strategic objectives in Syria – the..
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 May, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States continues to closely watch the military operations by the Assad regime in northwest Syria, including indications of any new use of chemical weapons by the regime.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 May, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States’ resolve to hold the Assad regime accountable for any further use of chemical weapons is unwavering, and we remind the regime and its allies that any use of chemical weapons, including chlorine gas, will be met by a strong, swift response.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 May, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States is alarmed by the escalation of violence in Idlib and northern Hama. Ongoing Russian and regime airstrikes, along with
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 April, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Special Representative for Syria Engagement and Special Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Ambassador James Jeffrey and Deputy Assistant Secretary and Special Envoy for Syria Joel Rayburn will travel to Ankara, Turkey for meetings on April 30-May 2, 2019.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 April, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States is appalled by the Assad regime’s decision to reject the UN request to deliver a convoy of urgently needed humanitarian aid from Damascus to the Rukban encampment.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 April, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Anniversary of the Khan Sheikhoun and Douma Chemical Weapons Attacks
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 April, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The text of the following statement was released today by UK Foreign Secretary Jeremy Hunt, French Foreign Minister Jean-Yves Le Drian, and U.S. Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 April, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"The Assad regime and its allies must take concrete steps to de-escalate military operations and end forced disappearances, release innocent civilians held in detention, and permit rapid, safe, and unhindered access for humanitarian agencies across Syria...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 April, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
"This is not the end of the fight against ISIS. That will go on, but it will be a different kind of fight. ISIS has lost much of its capability to project terrorist power and to have a recruiting base in an area that it controls, so it’s a very, very important development. "
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 March, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
I am pleased to announce that, together with our partners in the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, including the Iraqi Security Forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces, the United States has liberated all ISIS-controlled territory in Syria and Iraq—100 Percent of the “caliphate.”
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 25 March, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Press briefing by Ambassador James Jeffrey following his participation in the third Brussels conference on supporting the future of Syria and the region ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 March, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
Eight years ago today, tens of thousands of Syrians took to the streets to claim the right to express themselves freely, call for reform, and demand justice. The Assad regime’s brutal response, and role in the conflict that followed, resulted in the largest humanitarian crisis since World War II.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 March, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
At the direction of the President, subject to congressional approval, the United States intends to provide $5 million for the continuation of the vital, life-saving operations of the White Helmets in Syria and in support of the UN’s International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM) which is charged with assisting the investigation and prosecution of persons ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 March, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States views with grave concern escalating violence in recent days in Idlib and neighboring areas prompted by Russian and Assad regime airstrikes and artillery. Despite Russia’s claims
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 March, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Today at the at the Third Brussels Conference on “Supporting the Future of Syria and the Region,” the United States announced more than $397 million in additional humanitarian assistance for the people of Syria as part of the Regional Refugee and Resilience Plan for 2019-2020.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 14 March, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo met with UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen yesterday in Washington, D.C., to discuss the conflict in Syria, including continued U.S. support for the UN-led political process under United Nations Security Council Resolution 2254.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 March, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The report concluded that there were reasonable grounds that chlorine was used as a chemical weapon in the attack. The FFM found that the weaponized chlorine was not manufactured at the sites, as alleged by the regime, and that it is possible that the chlorine was released by cylinders that had been dropped from the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 March, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States urges the Assad regime and the Russian Federation to facilitate a new UN-Syrian Arab Red Crescent humanitarian convoy to Rukban before the end of March .....
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 February, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States applauds the recent success of the United Nations and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) humanitarian convoy which brought life-saving humanitarian assistance to more than 40,000 displaced people at the Rukban informal camp in south-eastern Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 February, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
We, the Ministers, Secretaries General, and Heads of Delegations of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS, met in Washington today at the invitation of United States Secretary of State Mike Pompeo to review the significant progress of the past year against ISIS and to discuss the next stage in the campaign to ensure the enduring ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 February, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We welcome the news that the UN and Syrian Arab Red Crescent (SARC) are making a second humanitarian aid delivery from Damascus to the Rukban encampment, providing critical food, medical care, warm clothes, and shelter materials. This follows the successful delivery that took place in November 2018. We recognize the courageous efforts of the UN ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 February, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We, the Foreign Ministers and representatives of Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America, met today in Washington to continue our work in support of the UN’s efforts to achieve a political solution to the conflict in Syria on the basis of UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 6 February, 2019 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States calls upon other nations to repatriate and prosecute their citizens detained by the SDF and commends the continued efforts of the SDF to return these foreign terrorist fighters to their countries of origin.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 February, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"We must not lose sight of the fact that what is truly needed is unimpeded, sustained humanitarian access, both in Rukban and throughout Syria..."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 January, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
January 24, 2019 WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against two Syria-based, Iran-backed militias composed of foreign nationals, an Iranian airline linked to designated Iranian airline Mahan Air and Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force (IRGC-QF), and an Armenian general sales agent (GSA) providing ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 25 January, 2019 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We have started returning United States troops home as we transition to the next phase of this campaign. The United States and our allies stand ready to re-engage at all levels to defend American interests whenever necessary
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 20 December, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Secretary’s Special Representative for Syria Engagement Ambassador James Jeffrey and Special Envoy for Syria and Deputy Assistant Secretary Joel Rayburn visited Gaziantep December 8 to meet with U.S. and Turkish military officials, Syrian refugees, civil society actors, and political groups working on Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 December, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Briefing With Special Representative for Syria Engagement Ambassador James F. Jeffrey
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 December, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The latest “Astana group” meeting on Syria did not yield an agreed list of members for the Syrian Constitutional Committee and thus failed to produce progress toward advancing the political process in this tragic conflict.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 November, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
the U.S. Department of the Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is designating nine targets in an international network through which the Iranian regime, working with Russian companies, provides millions of barrels of oil to the Syrian government. The Assad regime, in turn, facilitates
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 November, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States today sanctioned an international network by which the Iranian regime and Russia are providing millions of barrels of oil to the Assad regime in exchange for the movement of hundreds of millions of dollars to the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force, and for onward transfer to terrorist organizations such as Hamas and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 November, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
What we’re looking for is the enduring defeat of ISIS, a reinvigorated and irreversible political process in Syria led by the Syrian people and facilitated by the UN, and de-escalation of the conflict that will include all Iranian-commanded forces departing from the entirety of Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 November, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We welcome the news that the UN is finally able to begin delivering aid to the Rukban encampment from Damascus. This delivery comes after months of pressure from the United States, the UN, the UN Security Council, and wider international community for the Syrian regime to allow the UN to deliver critically-needed assistance to the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 November, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Under Secretary of State for Political Affairs David Hale met Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Sedat Onal to discuss the U.S-Turkish bilateral relationship and regional affairs...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 November, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
In his four years and four months as UN Special Envoy for Syria , Staffan de Mistura has worked tirelessly to find a solution to the Syrian crisis, saved lives by working to deescalate the violence that has engulfed the country, and eased suffering by constantly pressing for unhindered delivery of vital medical and humanitarian ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 October, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The text of the following statement on Syria was released by the Governments of Egypt, France, Germany, Jordan, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 September, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"The Syrian regime’s butchery is enabled by Russia and Iran. The Iranian regime exports violence, terror, and turmoil. It illicitly procures sensitive items to advance its ballistic missile program and proliferates these missiles all across the Middle East."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 September, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"The ongoing tragedy in Syria is heartbreaking. Our shared goals must be the de-escalation of military conflict, along with a political solution that honors the will of the Syrian people. In this vein, we urge the United Nations-led peace process be reinvigorated. But, rest assured, the United States will respond if chemical weapons are deployed ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 25 September, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We consider any assault on Idlib to be a reckless escalation of the conflict. If Assad, Russia, and Iran continue down the path they are on, the consequences will be dire. The world will hold them responsible. And no number of Security Council meetings will ever change that.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 12 September, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Qatirji maintains strong ties to the Syrian regime and facilitates fuel trade between the regime and ISIS, including providing oil products to ISIS-controlled territory.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 September, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Today, the United States imposed financial sanctions on four individuals and five entities that have facilitated weapons or fuel transfers, or provided other financial or material support, to the Assad regime in Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 September, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
On the fifth anniversary of the horrific Ghouta Sarin attack, the United States, the United Kingdom, and France reiterate their condemnation of the use of chemical weapons by the Assad regime.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 August, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
for today’s call, we’ll focus on the future of stabilization assistance in Syria and the ongoing efforts to achieve an enduring defeat of ISIS. As many of you have seen, we issued a statement earlier today announcing the diligent work that we’ve done to elicit significant contributions from our coalition partners, and how that has ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 20 August, 2018 | Topics: Press Releases
Our diplomats are working closely with the Department of Defense to support upcoming operations in eastern Syria by the Syrian Democratic Forces, and with Coalition capitals to support stabilization initiatives that enable Syrians to voluntarily and safely return to their homes in Raqqa and other former ISIS strongholds.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 August, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States applauds today’s announcement by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia of its generous contribution of $100 million for ongoing, Coalition-supported stabilization efforts in areas liberated from ISIS in Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 August, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Secretary Pompeo and Special Envoy de Mistura agreed that all parties needed to move ahead on the political track and that any discussion of reconstruction was premature absent a political solution leading unalterably to both constitutional reform and free and fair elections as described in UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 August, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Syrian regime’s recent notices confirming the deaths of thousands of political prisoners in its custody affirms what the international community has long suspected and can never forget: the regime has systematically arrested, tortured, and murdered tens of thousands of Syrian civilians in response to their legitimate and nonviolent calls for their freedom, rights, and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 8 August, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Department of State strongly condemns today’s barbaric ISIS-claimed attacks that took place in Syria’s southwestern Sweida province, deliberately targeting and killing scores of civilians and injuring many more. We extend our condolences to the families of these innocent victims.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 July, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We congratulate the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) on their successful operations to liberate al-Dashisha, Syria, from the scourge of ISIS. Dashisha since 2013 has been a key stronghold and transit route for ISIS fighters, weapons, and suicide bombers between Syria and Iraq. The SDF now controls the area, with Iraqi Security Forces controlling the Iraqi ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 July, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States welcomes the safe evacuation of more than 400 members of the Syrian Civil Defense, otherwise known as the White Helmets, and their families from southwest Syria. We are glad that these brave volunteers, who have saved thousands of lives, are now out of harm's way.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 July, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
This meeting was also an opportunity for Ministers to discuss and pledge immediate stabilization assistance to support areas of Syria liberated from ISIS in Coalition-supported operations.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 13 July, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Senior diplomatic representatives from the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS met today in Morocco to review the global campaign. Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition Brett McGurk provided an update on progress in Iraq and Syria and outlined the Coalition’s increasing focus on defeating ISIS’s global networks.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 June, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States remains deeply troubled by reports of increasing Syrian regime operations in southwest Syria within the boundaries of the de-escalation zone negotiated between the United States, Jordan, and the Russian Federation last year and reaffirmed between Presidents Trump and Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam in November.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 June, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The two discussed issues and concerns related to Syria and the bilateral relationship. Secretary Pompeo reemphasized the U.S. commitment to the southwest ceasefire arrangement that was approved by President Trump and President Putin one year ago.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 June, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The President has authorized the United States Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State to release approximately $6.6 million for the continuation of the vital, life-saving operations of the Syrian Civil Defense, more commonly known as the White Helmets, and the UN’s International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism (IIIM).
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 June, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States remains concerned by reports of impending Syrian government operations in southwest Syria within the boundaries of the de-escalation zone negotiated between the United States, Jordan, and the Russian Federation last year and reaffirmed between Presidents Trump and Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam in November. The United States remains committed to maintaining the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 June, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
This holiday marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, charity, compassion, and reflection. Eid al-Fitr reminds all of us in the United States and abroad, Muslims and non-Muslims alike, to maintain the spirit and lessons of Ramadan throughout the year: to promote peace, to be of service to those who are suffering and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 June, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We welcome the launch on Sunday of operations by the Syrian Democratic Forces against ISIS terrorists in Dashisha, Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 June, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkey Mevlüt Çavusoğlu and U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo met on June 4 in Washington, D.C. They reaffirmed that Turkey and the United States remain committed to addressing their common concerns in a spirit of allied partnership.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 June, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Department of State has amended the designation of al-Nusrah Front – an al-Qa’ida affiliate in Syria – to include Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and other aliases.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 June, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
It is shameful that a regime that continues to use chemical weapons to murder its own people has the audacity to accept the presidency of the very organization that established the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 May, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States is concerned by reports of an impending Assad regime operation in southwest Syria within the boundaries of the de-escalation zone negotiated between the United States, Jordan, and the Russian Federation last year and reaffirmed between Presidents Trump and Putin in Da Nang, Vietnam in November.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 May, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"The IRGC has continued to pump thousands of fighters into Syria to prop up the murderous Assad regime and help make that country 71,000 square miles of kill zone. Iran perpetuates a conflict that has displaced more than 6 million Syrians inside the – 6 million Syrians and caused over 5 million to seek refuge ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 May, 2018 | Topics: Press Releases
On May 15, 2018, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Fact-Finding Mission, released its report regarding an alleged incident in Saraqib, Syrian Arab Republic on 4 February 2018. The FFM “determined that chlorine, released from cylinders through mechanical impact, was likely used as a chemical weapon on 4 February 2018 in the Al ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 May, 2018 | Topics: Press Releases
"On behalf of the United States Department of State, I offer best wishes to Muslims around the world for a peaceful and blessed Ramadan."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 May, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States, the Global Coalition, and local partners, including the Syrian Democratic Forces, are launching operations to liberate the final ISIS strongholds in Syria. The fighting will be difficult, but we and our partners will prevail.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 2 May, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"We must not let Syria again become a safe haven for ISIS or for any other terrorist group."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 April, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"Iran destabilizes this entire region. It supports proxy militias and terrorist groups. It is an arms dealer to the Houthi rebels in Yemen, and Iran conducts cyber hacking campaigns.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 April, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"The U.S. will remain committed in Syria until ISIS is defeated and the so-called caliphate completely eliminated. We will work to ensure local forces enabled by our regional partners and allies will consolidate these gains, stabilize liberated territories, and prevent the return of ISIS. We will not leave a vacuum that can be exploited by the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 April, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"While preventing the use of chemical weapons in Syria is our immediate concern, the Administration’s priority remains the defeat of ISIS...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 April, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"We did not give diplomacy just one chance. We gave diplomacy chance after chance. Six times: That’s how many times Russia vetoed Security Council resolutions to address chemical weapons in Syria. Our efforts go back even further. In 2013, the Security Council passed a resolution that required the Assad regime to destroy its stockpile of ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 April, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"The nations of Britain, France, and the United States of America have marshaled their righteous power against barbarism and brutality. Tonight, I ask all Americans to say a prayer for our noble warriors and our allies as they carry out their missions. We pray that God will bring comfort to those suffering in Syria. We ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 April, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States, along with Cote d’Ivoire, France, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Peru, Poland, Sweden, and the United Kingdom, has called for an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council in light of the latest allegations of a chemical weapons attack in Douma
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 9 April, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The regime’s history of using chemical weapons against its own people is not in dispute, and in fact nearly one year ago on April 4, 2017, Assad’s forces conducted a sarin gas attack on Khan Sheikhoun, which killed approximately 100 Syrians.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 8 April, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"One year ago today, the Assad regime launched a horrific attack using the nerve agent sarin against its own citizens in Khan Shaykhun, killing approximately 100 people – including many children – and injuring hundreds more."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 April, 2018 | Topics: Press Releases
Today marks one year since the heinous attack on the town of Khan Sheikhoun, where Asad’s forces unleashed sarin nerve gas with tragic consequences for hundreds of men, women and children.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 April, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"A responsible Security Council would express its outrage that at least 1,700 civilians were killed during a military campaign that we demanded to come to a halt. "
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 28 March, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
It appears the majority of the population of the city, which is predominantly Kurdish, evacuated under threat of attack from Turkish military forces and Turkish backed opposition forces.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 March, 2018 | Topics: Press Releases
In the past 16 days, over 500 civilians have died, and some reports put the death toll even higher. This is unacceptable. Thousands of Syrians are in desperate need of medical care, but none of the UN’s list have been evacuated.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 13 March, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States condemns the ongoing military offensive that the Assad regime, backed by Russia and Iran, is perpetrating against the people of Eastern Ghouta. After repeatedly delaying the passage of United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2401, which demanded a 30-day cessation of hostilities across Syria, Russia has gone on to ignore its terms and to kill innocent civilians under ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 March, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"Despite the unanimous call for a ceasefire, the regime’s attacks continue unabated. Hundreds of Syrians have been killed or injured since we passed the resolution on Saturday."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 March, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"It is critical that the Assad regime and its allies comply with our demand to stop the assault on eastern Ghouta and immediately allow food and medicine to reach everyone who needs it."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 February, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
00,000 Syrian civilians trapped in eastern Ghouta are living in a “hell on Earth.” That is because attacks by the Assad regime and its backers against these civilians grow worse by the day.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 February, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Assad regime has become a front for Iran, Hezbollah, and their allies to advance the irresponsible and dangerous agenda for the Middle East. On every front of this conflict, we find fighters imported by Iran from Lebanon, Iraq, and Afghanistan.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 February, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States is extremely concerned about escalating violence in Idlib, the Damascus suburbs of Eastern Ghouta, and other areas of Syria threatened by ongoing regime and Russian airstrikes.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 9 February, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States is gravely alarmed by continued allegations of the use of chlorine gas by the Syrian Regime to terrorize innocent civilians, this time in Idlib Province near Saraqib.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 6 February, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"Last year, I also pledged that we would work with our allies to extinguish ISIS from the face of the Earth. One year later, I am proud to report that the coalition to defeat ISIS has liberated very close to 100 percent of the territory just recently held by these killers in Iraq and in ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 January, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
President Trump invited closer bilateral cooperation to address Turkey’s legitimate security concerns. The leaders discussed the need to stabilize a unified Syria that poses no threats to its neighbors, including Turkey.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 25 January, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Secretary of State’s participation in the January 23, 2018 Partnership launching conference illustrates the importance that the United States places to hold accountable those involved in the use of chemical weapons.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 January, 2018 | Topics: Press Releases
The recent attacks in East Ghouta raise serious concerns that Bashar al-Assad’s Syrian regime may be continuing its use of chemical weapons against its own people. Whoever conducted the attacks, Russia ultimately bears responsibility for the victims in East Ghouta and countless other Syrians targeted with chemical weapons since Russia became involved in Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 January, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We continue to be supportive of addressing the legitimate security concerns of Turkey as a NATO Ally and critical partner in the effort to defeat ISIS. However, we urge Turkey to exercise restraint and ensure that its military operations remain limited in scope and duration and scrupulous to avoid civilian casualties.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 January, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States will maintain a military presence in Syria focused on ensuring ISIS cannot re-emerge. Our military mission in Syria will remain conditions-based. We cannot make the same mistakes that were made in 2011 when a premature departure from Iraq allowed al-Qaida in Iraq to survive and eventually morph into ISIS.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 20 January, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States will maintain a military presence in Syria focused on ensuring ISIS cannot re-emerge. Our military mission in Syria will remain conditions-based. We cannot make the same mistakes that were made in 2011 when a premature departure from Iraq allowed al-Qaida in Iraq to survive and eventually morph into ISIS.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 January, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
I hereby call on key European countries to join with the United States in fixing significant flaws in the deal, countering Iranian aggression, and supporting the Iranian people. If other nations fail to act during this time, I will terminate our deal with Iran. Those who, for whatever reason, choose not to work with us ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 13 January, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The fight is still ongoing in Syria. As I write this letter, SDF units are engaged in operations to remove ISIS from the Euphrates River Valley, and we anticipate these operations will continue over the first quarter of 2018. The focus will then shift to stabilization, and the United States is prepared to remain in ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 January, 2018 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States welcomes the urgent and long awaited medical evacuations that took place over the past forty-eight hours from Eastern Ghouta in Syria. We also extend our gratitude to the humanitarian and medical professionals on the ground for their compassion and tireless work. Their dedication and efforts to save lives in the most difficult ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 December, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We commend United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura and his team for their efforts in the latest round of Syria talks in Geneva. We also note the constructive participation of the Syrian opposition delegation, which stands in contrast to the obstructionism and procrastination of the Syrian regime delegation. ..
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 December, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The recent announcement that the United States recognizes Jerusalem as the capital of Israel and plans to relocate the U.S. Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem may spark protests, some of which have the potential to become violent. The U.S. Consulate General reminds U.S. citizens of the need for caution and awareness of personal security. ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 6 December, 2017 | Topics: Security & Emergency Messages
The United States notes the successful conclusion of the Riyadh II conference of the Syrian opposition and its work to bring together a diverse array of groups to form a unified delegation that can enter into substantive negotiations in the upcoming round of UN sponsored talks in Geneva.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 November, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
“Assad and ISIS will no longer be on notice for the use of chemical weapons by Russia’s actions today. The message to anyone listening is clear: in effect, Russia accepts the use of chemical weapons in Syria.”
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 November, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Senior diplomatic representatives from the Small Group of the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS met today in Jordan to review our global campaign to defeat this terrorist organization. Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition Brett McGurk provided an update on progress in Iraq and Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 November, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The two Presidents affirmed that these steps must include full implementation of UNSCR 2254, including constitutional reform and free and fair elections under UN supervision, held to the highest international standards of transparency, with all Syrians, including members of the diaspora, eligible to participate.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 13 November, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"Today, the OPCW issued a report concluding that the chemical weapon sarin was used in the March 30 attack on the Syrian town of Ltamenah...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 November, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"This new report confirms unequivocally what the United States and many in the international community have stated publicly for many months – that the Assad regime carried out the heinous April 4 attack killing approximately 100 innocent Syrian civilians, including many children, and injuring hundreds more."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 October, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The findings issued today by the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and United Nations’ Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) have concluded that the Assad regime used chemical weapons on over 100 innocent civilians using the poison gas sarin in Khan Sheikhoun, Syria, on April 4, 2017.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 October, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"As we’ve said many times before, the United States wants a whole and unified Syria with no role for Bashar al-Assad in the government..." Secretary Tillerson
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 October, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"Russia has once again demonstrated it will do whatever it takes to ensure the barbaric Assad regime never faces consequences for its continued use of chemicals as weapons."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 25 October, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We congratulate the Syrian people and the Syrian Democratic Forces, including the Syrian Arab Coalition, on the liberation of Raqqa. The United States is proud to lead the 73-member Global Coalition that supported this effort, which has seen ISIS’s so-called caliphate crumble across Iraq and Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 20 October, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Syria and strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remaining in Syria depart immediately. The security situation remains dangerous and unpredictable. Violent conflict between government and armed anti-government groups continues throughout the country. There is a serious risk for kidnappings, bombings, murder, and terrorism. ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 October, 2017 | Topics: Security & Emergency Messages
"This regime has fueled sectarian violence in Iraq, and vicious civil wars in Yemen and Syria. In Syria, the Iranian regime has supported the atrocities of Bashar al-Assad’s regime and condoned Assad’s use of chemical weapons against helpless civilians." President Trump
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 14 October, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Ambassador Haley highlighted the success of last week's high-level meeting to address humanitarian needs in Syria, but cautioned Member States against complacency.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 28 September, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Hala served as a journalist for Orient News and we remember the courageous work of her mother, Orouba, a Syrian activist who reported on the Syrian regime’s atrocities. The United States condemns the perpetrators of these murders and we will closely follow the investigation.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 September, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
Ministers of Canada, Denmark, Egypt, European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Jordan, Netherlands, Norway, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sweden, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, and the United States met September 18 to discuss Syria and related issues. They agreed on the following points, which will guide their united efforts:
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 September, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
These attacks fit an all-too-familiar pattern in which medical facilities and personnel are victims of strikes by the Syrian regime and its Russian allies.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 September, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Maintaining its steadfast commitment to getting lifesaving support to the people of Syria impacted by conflict wherever they are, the United States today announced more than $697 million in additional humanitarian assistance.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 September, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"We seek the de-escalation of the Syrian conflict, and a political solution that honors the will of the Syrian people. The actions of the criminal regime of Bashar al-Assad, including ..
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 20 September, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"We’ve made clear many times that we do not believe at the end of this process that Assad should remain, that he has lost his legitimacy and his right to rule. But that is a decision for the Syrian people to make...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 20 September, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
Acting Assistant Secretary Satterfield will reinforce U.S. support for all efforts to achieve a sustainable de-escalation of violence and provision of unhindered humanitarian aid.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 13 September, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
We condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, under any circumstances. We reiterate our commitment not to tolerate such use and to ensure that those responsible face serious consequences.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 August, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
These cowardly acts of masked men took the lives of civilian volunteers who work tirelessly as first responders in order to save lives in incredibly dangerous environments.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 14 August, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"about 45 percent of Raqqa is now cleared. This is due to some key changes that were put in place very early on – three changes – initiatives from President Trump, and I’ll just highlight four of them....
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 August, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States is deeply saddened by reports of the execution of Syrian blogger and activist Bassel Khartabil by the Syrian regime. We extend our deepest and heartfelt condolences to his family, friends, and loved ones.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 August, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
"The second condition we have is that Iran’s military influence, the direct presence of Iranian military forces inside of Syria, they must leave and go home, whether those are Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces or whether those are paid militias, foreign fighters, that Iran has brought into Syria in this battle....
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 2 August, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"With the support of Iran, the organization is also fueling the humanitarian catastrophe in Syria. Hizballah likes to portray itself as a defender of Lebanese interests, but it's very clear that its true interests are those of itself and its sponsor -- Iran.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 July, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Hizballah is a destructive terrorist force. It is a major obstacle to peace. And the dangers it poses are getting larger, not smaller.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 July, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
This action follows sanctions designations recently undertaken by the United States, similarly aimed at holding the Syrian regime accountable for its repeated use of chemicals weapons on the Syrian people, including the April 4 Khan Shaykhun attack.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 July, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"Local governance in Raqqa in the initial phases will be led by a Raqqa civilian council now based just north of Raqqa in Ayn Issa. This council includes nearly 120 individuals, most of whom stayed in Syria during the civil war and escaped from Raqqa and other towns within the province as ISIS moved in...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 14 July, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) Fact Finding Mission (FFM) issued a report confirming that sarin or a sarin-like chemical weapon was used on April 4, 2017, in Khan Shaykhun, Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 June, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
On June 28-29, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Defeat ISIS Brett McGurk was in Syria to consult with local partners on the campaign to defeat ISIS. He also witnessed first-hand the humanitarian and stabilization assistance that is underway in liberated areas north of Raqqa
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 June, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
“The United States gives more humanitarian aid than any other country, but money alone is not enough—we must also work to end the conflicts that drive these people from their homes, while tearing apart their countries."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 June, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"As we mark World Refugee Day, we will continue to aid those who have been forced from their homes, address the root causes of their displacement, and foster long-term solutions to humanitarian crises."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 June, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"We will judge ceasefire in southern Syria by results, not words."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 June, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"The fight for Raqqah will be long and difficult, but the offensive would deliver a decisive blow to the idea of ISIS as a physical caliphate" - Lt. Gen. Steve Townsend.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 6 June, 2017 | Topics: News
"According to one Syrian human rights group, in just the month of April, the Assad regime killed nearly 500 civilians. That brings the total number of Syrians killed by the regime in just the past five months to over 2,000. The same group reports that the total number of civilians killed by all parties during ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"This year, the holiday begins as the world mourns the innocent victims of barbaric terrorist attacks in the United Kingdom and Egypt, acts of depravity that are directly contrary to the spirit of Ramadan. Such acts only steel our resolve to defeat the terrorists and their perverted ideology. .."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"This time reminds us all of the common values of harmony and empathy we hold dear..."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"If we do not act against this organized terror, then we know what will happen. Terrorism’s devastation of life will continue to spread. Peaceful societies will become engulfed by violence. And the futures of many generations will be sadly squandered."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"As long as the Syrian government continues its campaign of brutal violence against its own people, Treasury will continue targeting the finances of anyone enabling Assad, and will continue intensifying pressure on Assad’s regime in support of diplomatic efforts to end the conflict in Syria."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"The Syrian regime has authorized the extrajudicial killings of thousands of detainees using mass hangings at the Saydnaya military prison" - Acting Assistant Secretary Jones
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Secretary and Foreign Minister discussed the importance of defeating ISIS, de-escalating the violence in Syria, and ensuring that humanitarian assistance reaches hundreds of thousands of civilians throughout the country...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
President Trump emphasized the need to work together to end the conflict in Syria, in particular, underscoring the need for Russia to rein in the Assad regime, Iran, and Iranian proxies....
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States supports any effort that can genuinely de-escalate the violence in Syria, ensure unhindered humanitarian access, focus energies on the defeat of ISIS and other terrorists, and create the conditions for a credible political resolution of the conflict.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
President Trump and President Putin agreed that the suffering in Syria has gone on for far too long and that all parties must do all they can to end the violence.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 May, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Ambassador Haley and Mr. Saleh discussed continued U.S. support for the White Helmets, who risk their lives every day as the first responders, rescuing and giving medical care to civilians caught in the brutal fighting in Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 April, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
“These sweeping sanctions target the scientific support center for Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad’s horrific chemical weapons attack on innocent civilian men, women, and children...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 25 April, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States strongly condemns today's barbaric attacks against innocent civilians, including women and children, in northern Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 April, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
" I hope that what the Russian Government concludes is that they have aligned themselves with an unreliable partner in Bashar al-Assad...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 11 April, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The moral stain of the Assad regime could no longer go unanswered. His crimes against humanity could no longer be met with empty words.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 April, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We feel the strike itself was proportional because it was targeted at the facility that delivered this most recent chemical weapons attack.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 April, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
I ordered a targeted military strike on the airfield in Syria from where the chemical attack was launched.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 April, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
We cannot close our eyes to those pictures. We cannot close our minds of the responsibility to act."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 6 April, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Anyone who uses chemical weapons to attack his own people shows a fundamental disregard for human decency and must be held accountable.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 April, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Using starvation as a weapon of war is unconscionable. The Council should strongly condemn the Syrian regime and its allies for their immoral denial of essential goods and medicine as a tool to force their own people to surrender....
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 March, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"Our discussions today reaffirmed that we will prevent the resurgence of Daesh in previously held territory, and aggressively stop the emergence of new terrorist threats on the ground as well as the recruitment of terrorists online...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 March, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The flow of foreign terrorist fighters into Syria and Iraq is down 90 percent over the past year. It is harder for terrorists to get in, and more importantly, harder for them to get out to threaten our homelands.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 March, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
Coalition air assets have conducted more than 19,000 strikes on ISIS targets, removing tens of thousands ISIS fighters from the battlefield and killing over 180 senior to mid-level ISIS leaders, including nearly all of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi's deputies, his so-called ministers of war, information, finance, oil and gas, and his chief of external operations.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 March, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Syria and strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remaining in Syria depart immediately. The security situation remains dangerous and unpredictable. Violent conflict between government and armed anti-government groups continues throughout the country. There is a serious risk for kidnappings, bombings, murder, and terrorism. ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 March, 2017 | Topics: Security & Emergency Messages
Ambassador Haley and Special Envoy de Mistura agreed that all sides must come to the next round of talks prepared to negotiate in good faith.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 11 March, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Refugee Admissions Program will be temporarily suspended for the next 120 days while DHS and interagency partners review screening procedures to ensure refugees admitted in the future do not pose a security risk to the United States.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 March, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
To our allies and partners around the world: Please understand this order is part of our ongoing efforts to eliminate vulnerabilities that radical Islamist terrorists can and will exploit for destructive ends.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 March, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The screening and vetting protocols and procedures associated with the visa-issuance process and the United States Refugee Admissions Program (USRAP) play a crucial role in detecting foreign nationals who may commit, aid, or support acts of terrorism and in preventing those individuals from entering the United States. It is therefore the policy of the United ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 6 March, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
"Our foreign policy calls for a direct, robust and meaningful engagement with the world. It is American leadership based on vital security interests that we share with our allies all across the globe....
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 March, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
"ISIS’ barbarity is no excuse for Assad’s barbarity. Both used chemical weapons. Both should face the consequences...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 March, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"You are either for chemical weapons or you’re against it. People died because of this, and the United States isn’t going to be quiet...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 February, 2017 | Topics: Exclude, News, Press Releases
"The United States will not hesitate to stand against the forces of terrorism, and that includes standing against the states that sponsor it, in particular the Islamic Republic of Iran....
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 February, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The Vice President thanked Prime Minister Yildirim for Turkey's significant contributions to the counter-ISIS campaign, and expressed his condolences for Turkish loss of life in the fight against terrorism...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 February, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"The Trump Administration condemns such actions by Iran that undermine security, prosperity, and stability throughout and beyond the Middle East.."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 2 February, 2017 | Topics: Exclude
ISIS attacks against our allies and partners continue to mount. The United States must take decisive action to defeat ISIS....
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 February, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
They agreed on the importance of working jointly to address challenges to regional peace and security, including the conflicts in Syria and Yemen...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 January, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The call lasted approximately one hour and ranged in topics from mutual cooperation in defeating ISIS to efforts in working together to achieve more peace throughout the world including Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 January, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
"Every four years, we gather on these steps to carry out the orderly and peaceful transfer of power, and we are grateful to President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama for their gracious aid throughout this transition."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 January, 2017 | Topics: News
Operation Inherent Resolve Spokesperson, Col John Dorrian, on Coalition efforts against ISIL in Syria January 17, 2017 The Syrian Democratic Forces and the Syrian Arab Coalition have continued their progress, isolating Raqqa. Since their operation started November 5th, our partner forces liberated 3,172 square kilometers of terrain and moved within five kilometers of Tabaqah Dam ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 20 January, 2017 | Topics: News
The U.S. Department of the Treasury is taking action in response to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) - United Nations (UN) Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) findings that the Syrian regime used industrial chlorine as a weapon against its own people.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 20 January, 2017 | Topics: News
"After more than five years of tragedy, this much remains clear: It is only through a political solution that ultimately the country can be unified, the country can be rebuilt, and the violence can actually be stopped"
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 6 January, 2017 | Topics: News
"we are concerned at reports of a regime offensive, supported by Hizballah militia, in Wadi Barada. The Security Council's adoption of this text should be seen as a strong signal that such activities must cease."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 January, 2017 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Any effort that stops the violence, saves lives, and creates the conditions for renewed and productive political negotiations would be welcome.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 January, 2017 | Topics: Press Releases
We welcome the unanimous adoption of UN Security Council Resolution 2319 to renew for another year the vital work of the Organization for the Prohibition Chemical Weapons (OPCW) - United Nations Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) whose mission it is to determine attribution of confirmed chemical weapons (CW) use in Syria.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 November, 2016 | Topics: News, Press Releases
The United States condemns in the strongest terms these horrific attacks against medical infrastructure and humanitarian aid workers. There is no excuse for these heinous actions.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
"Today, I would like to specify some of the names of those involved since 2011 in killing and injuring civilians by conducting air and ground-based Syrian government military assaults on cities, residential areas, and civilian infrastructure."
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 November, 2016 | Topics: News
The United States is providing more than $364 million in additional lifesaving humanitarian assistance for those affected by the war in Syria, as world leaders gathered during the UN General Assembly to galvanize significant new global commitments to increase support for refugees. This announcement, which brings U.S. humanitarian assistance in response to this conflict to ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Exclude, Press Releases
The solution is also for Russia to stop using the privilege of holding a permanent seat on the UN Security Council to veto every resolution that demands an end to the attacks.
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
A little over a year ago, the UN Security Council voted unanimously, through Resolution 2235 (2015) to establish the Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) to determine attribution of confirmed chemical weapon use in Syria. The JIM, an independent, neutral expert panel conducted a year-long investigation into nine instances of confirmed or likely use of chemicals as ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States is suspending its participation in bilateral channels with Russia that were established to sustain the Cessation of Hostilities. This is not a decision that was taken lightly. The United States spared no effort in negotiating and attempting to implement an arrangement with Russia aimed at reducing violence, providing unhindered humanitarian access, and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
We have convened the Security Council today because the Russian Federation and the Assad regime have launched an all-out air and ground offensive against eastern Aleppo and its 275,000 civilians. Russia and Assad have reportedly launched more than 150 airstrikes over the last 72 hours, killing at least 139 people and injuring hundreds more, laying ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
The foreign ministers of France, Italy, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States and the High Representative of the European Union have released the following joint statement: [Begin text] The devastating events in Syria this week underscore what we have been saying for some time: the burden is on Russia to prove it is willing ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
SECRETARY KERRY: Mr. President, good morning, and good morning to all of our colleagues here on the United Nations Security Council. I want to thank my colleague from New Zealand particularly for hosting this very important session on the crisis in Syria. And I think it’s appropriate that we are gathering here a couple of rooms ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Readout Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC September 20, 2016 The following is attributable to Spokesperson John Kirby: Members of the ISSG met this morning in New York City to take measure of the situation in Syria. They agreed that, despite continued violence, there was still an imperative to pursue a nationwide cessation of ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Statement John Kirby Assistant Secretary and Department Spokesperson, Bureau of Public Affairs Washington, DC September 19, 2016 We’ve seen reports from various parties today about the status of the situation in Syria, seven days after the Geneva arrangement went into effect. That arrangement is clear: there must be increased and sustained access for the delivery ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Ambassador Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York City September 17, 2016 AS DELIVERED Good evening, everybody. We are still gathering information at this time, but we have been able to confirm that, earlier today, the United States struck what we believed to be ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department Of State Office Of The Special Envoy For Syria 29 August 2016 Statement on the Discussions Between Russia and the United States Since the beginning of the revolution, the United States and its regional allies have sought to enable the opposition to build a better future for the Syrian people and to ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC August 29, 2016 A year ago, President Obama set the goal of welcoming at least 10,000 of the most vulnerable refugees fleeing the conflict in Syria to the United States. Today, by committing additional resources to our refugee admissions process and maintaining our rigorous screening ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Ambassador Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York City August 24, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The United States welcomes the submission of the report of the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM) on the use of chemical weapons in Syria. We are reviewing its findings ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC July 26, 2016 The United States participated in a trilateral meeting today in Geneva with Russian officials, convened by the UN Special Envoy Staffan De Mistura. The UN Special Envoy updated the two chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), the United States and Russia, on ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Readout Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC July 19, 2016 The following is attributable to Spokesperson John Kirby: Secretary Kerry met today in London with UN Special Envoy Staffan de Mistura to discuss the situation in Syria and ongoing efforts to achieve a political solution to the conflict there. The Secretary thanked Special Envoy ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Readout Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC July 14, 2016 The following is attributable to Spokesperson John Kirby: Secretary Kerry met this evening in Moscow with Russian President Putin to advance efforts to restore the nationwide cessation of hostilities in Syria and to establish conditions that can enable political transition talks to resume between ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC July 12, 2016 Secretary Kerry announced today that the United States is providing nearly $439 million in additional lifesaving humanitarian assistance for those affected by the war in Syria. This new funding brings U.S. humanitarian assistance in response to this conflict to nearly $5.6 billion since ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
The White House Office of the Press Secretary July 06, 2016 Statement by the President on the Occasion of Eid al-Fitr, July 6, 2016 Upon the arrival of a new crescent moon, Michelle and I send our warmest greetings to all those celebrating Eid al-Fitr in the United States and around the globe. For Muslim ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
The White House Office of the Press Secretary July 06, 2016 Readout of the President’s Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia President Obama spoke today by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to discuss President Putin’s June 20 meeting with President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan and Serzh Sargsian of Armenia regarding the settlement ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release June 05, 2016 Statement by the President on the Occasion of Ramadan As another new moon heralds the start of the holy month of Ramadan, Michelle and I extend our best wishes to Muslims across the United States and around the world. For ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 17, 2016 Meeting in Vienna on May 17, 2016, as the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), the Arab League, Australia, Canada, China, Egypt, the European Union, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Lebanon, The Netherlands, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 9, 2016 The Russian Federation and the United States of America, as co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), recognize the progress that has been made with respect to the cessation of hostilities (CoH) in Syria, in accordance with our Joint Statement of February ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC April 28, 2016 We are outraged by yesterday’s airstrikes in Aleppo on the al-Quds hospital supported by both Doctors Without Borders and the International Committee of the Red Cross, which killed dozens of people, including children, patients, and medical personnel. While we are still trying ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release April 18, 2016 Readout of the President’s Call with President Vladimir Putin of Russia, President Obama spoke today by phone with President Vladimir Putin of Russia to share his concern over the status of the Cessation of Hostilities in Syria between the Syrian ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Readout John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC April 15, 2016 The following is attributable to Spokesperson John Kirby: Secretary of State John Kerry spoke today via phone with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov to reiterate our serious concerns over the ongoing threats to the Cessation of Hostilities in Syria and the urgent need ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
John Kirby Spokesperson Daily Press Briefing Washington, DC April 14, 2016 On Syria, we were appalled to learn today of the death of Dr. Hassan Mohammed al-Araj in Hama, Syria – a doctor, of course – killed from an alleged airstrike. He was a widely respected and beloved medical professional in Syria, regarded throughout ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Statement John Kirby Assistant Secretary and Department Spokesperson, Bureau of Public Affairs Washington, DC April 13, 2016 The United States condemns Daesh’s vicious murder this week in Gaziantep, Turkey of television journalist Mohammed Zahir al-Sherqat, who courageously worked to expose Daesh’s hypocrisy. We express our heartfelt condolences to the family of Mr. al-Sherqat, who is ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Readout Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC April 13, 2016 The below is attributable to Spokesperson John Kirby: Secretary Kerry spoke with United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura this morning to discuss today’s resumption in Geneva of UN-led Syria negotiations. Secretary Kerry reaffirmed strong U.S. support for the talks to focus ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: News, Press Releases
John Kirby Assistant Secretary and Department Spokesperson, Bureau of Public Affairs Washington, DC March 31, 2016 The United States is appalled by aerial strikes March 31, reportedly by the Assad regime, on a school and hospital in the Damascus suburb of Deir Al Asafir, where more than 20 people are believed to have been killed and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC March 30, 2016 Today, at a high-level meeting convened by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) on “Global Responsibility Sharing through Pathways for Admission of Syrian Refugees” held in Geneva, Switzerland, Deputy Secretary of State Heather Higginbottom announced additional steps the United ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
US Department of State Office of the Special Envoy for Syria 9 March 2016 Statement on Humanitarian Access Achieved under the ISSG Humanitarian access has significantly improved for many of the hard-to-reach and besieged locations prioritized by the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) Humanitarian Task Force for Phase One operations on February 12. As of March ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC February 22, 2016 The United States of America and the Russian Federation, as co-chairs of the International Syria Support Group (ISSG) and seeking to achieve a peaceful settlement of the Syrian crisis with full respect for the fundamental role of the United Nations, are fully determined to ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: News, Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC February 11, 2016 Meeting in Munich on February 11 & 12, 2016, as the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), the Arab League, China, Egypt, the EU, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: News
Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC February 4, 2016 Secretary Kerry announced today that the United States is providing nearly $601 million in additional life-saving humanitarian assistance for those affected by the war in Syria. This new funding brings U.S. humanitarian assistance in response to this conflict to more than $5.1 billion since ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State London, United Kingdom February 4, 2016 Well, your excellencies all, I’m cutting down significantly because we were originally given a little more time, but I’m very happy to try to fit it all in as quickly as I can. After almost five years of fighting, it’s pretty incredible that ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Press Releases | Tags: John Kerry
U.S. Department of State Office of The Special Envoy for Syria Statement on the Suspension of the Syria Negotiations in Geneva As Secretary Kerry noted on 3 February 2016, “The continued assault by Syrian regime forces — enabled by Russian airstrikes — against opposition-held areas, as well as regime and allied militias’ continued besiegement of ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC February 3, 2016 The continued assault by Syrian regime forces — enabled by Russian airstrikes — against opposition-held areas, as well as regime and allied militias’ continued besiegement of hundreds of thousands of civilians, have clearly signaled the intention to seek a military solution rather than ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department Of State Office Of The Special Envoy For Syria January 31, 2016 Statement by U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Michael Ratney on today’s bombings in Damascus We strongly condemn ISIL’s suicide bombings today in Damascus, which resulted in dozens of people killed and injured. We extended our heartfelt condolences to the victims’ families. ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State State Department Washington, DC January 31, 2016 SECRETARY KERRY: For almost five years, the world has watched in horror as Syria has disintegrated into a brutal conflict, killing hundreds of thousands and displacing millions both within and outside the country. Syria today is an unfolding humanitarian catastrophe, unmatched since World ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders, Press Releases | Tags: John Kerry
U.S. Department of State Office Of The Special Envoy For Syria January 29, 2016 Statement by Special Envoy for Syria Michael Ratney Welcoming the Decision of the High Negotiations Committee As Secretary Kerry announced today, the United States welcomes the important decision by the High Negotiating Committee of the Syrian opposition to attend negotiations hosted ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC January 29, 2016 The United States welcomes the important decision by the High Negotiations Committee of the Syrian opposition to attend negotiations hosted by the United Nations in Geneva. The United States also reiterates that UN Security Council Resolution 2254 must be fully implemented by all ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Ambassador Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York City January 18, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Today, the United Nations Security Council heard a briefing from Special Envoy of the Secretary-General for Syria Staffan de Mistura, who briefed the Council on the situation in Syria, including ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department of State Office of The Spokesperson Spokesperson Kirby January 15, 2016 Yesterday, a second joint UN-ICRC-Syrian Arab Red Crescent humanitarian convoy of over 60 aid trucks reached the towns of Madaya, Foah, and Kefraya, where staff immediately distributed flour, winter clothes, blankets, and specialized health and nutrition supplies. Medical personnel and nutritionists are accompanying the convoy ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Press Releases
Ambassador Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York City January 11, 2016 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE The reports of starvation coming out of Madaya and other besieged regions of Syria are horrific. Before today’s delivery, the approximately 40,000 people in Madaya had received almost no humanitarian ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 1 November, 2016 | Topics: Human Rights, Press Releases
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Syria and strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remaining in Syria depart immediately. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated August 27, 2015, to remind U.S. citizens that the security situation remains dangerous and unpredictable as violent conflict between government and armed ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 March, 2016 | Topics: Security & Emergency Messages
Ambassador Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York City December 22, 2015 The briefing in the Security Council yesterday by UN High Commissioner for Refugees Antonio Guterres and Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs Assistant Secretary-General Kang was clear: the humanitarian situation in Syria ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 December, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Availability John Kerry Secretary of State New York, NY December 18, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Well, good evening, everybody. Thank you very much for coming. First of all, I want to express again my appreciation and the appreciation of all of the P5 members of the International Syria Support Group who worked through the day, and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 December, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State New York, NY December 18, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Mr. Secretary-General, Special Envoy de Mistura, distinguished colleagues, I want to begin by thanking the other P4 members who joined together to help fashion this resolution and who spent time this morning working with our colleagues in order to bring us here ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 December, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
James S. Brady Press Briefing Room 2:06 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. Clearly, this is not the most important event that’s taking place in the White House today. There is a screening of Star Wars for Gold Star families and children coming up. So I’ll try to be relatively succinct. Let me say ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 December, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Readout Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC November 16, 2015 The following is attributable to Spokesperson John Kirby: Secretary Kerry spoke today via telephone with the President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition, Khaled Khoja. The Secretary and Khoja discussed the results of Saturday’s meeting in Vienna of the International Syria Support Group and of the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 November, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC November 14, 2015 Meeting in Vienna on November 14, 2015 as the International Syria Support Group (ISSG), the Arab League, China, Egypt, the EU, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 14 November, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release November 09, 2015 Readout of the President’s Calls with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey The President spoke separately today by phone with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu of Turkey to congratulate the Turkish people ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 9 November, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC November 4, 2015 The Small Group of the Global Coalition to counter ISIL met today in Brussels at the invitation of the Belgian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Didier Reynders, to take stock of recent developments on the ground, continue expanding Coalition efforts to ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 November, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC October 31, 2015 As Deputy Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced today at the Manama Dialogue, the United States will provide nearly $100 million in new assistance to the Syrian opposition, bringing the total support we have committed and are providing to the Syrian opposition since 2012 ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 October, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
“Meeting in Vienna, on October 30, 2015, China, Egypt, the EU, France, Germany, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Jordan, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, the United Kingdom, the United Nations, and the United States [“the participants”] came together to discuss the grave situation in Syria and how to bring about an end ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 October, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC October 28, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: (Applause.) Thank you very much. Thank you all very, very much. Bill, thanks so much for welcoming me to your new home, but thank you for remarkably generous comments. I’m very, really touched to hear them from somebody of Bill’s caliber, because as ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 28 October, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Readout John Kirby Department Spokesperson Washington, DC October 24, 2015 Secretary Kerry met tonight with Saudi King Salman, and enjoyed a working dinner afterward with the Crown Prince, Deputy Crown Prince, Foreign Minister and other senior Saudi officials. The group discussed a wide range of regional and bilateral security issues, to include the conflict in ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 October, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Imperial Hotel Vienna, Austria October 23, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: So let me start by saying that I am convinced, having been part of this process since the day I became Secretary, that today’s meeting was constructive and productive and succeeded in surfacing some ideas which I’m not going to share ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 October, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Ambassador Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations U.S. Mission to the United Nations New York City October 22, 2015 AS DELIVEREDThank you, Foreign Minister García-Margallo, for chairing this session. Thank you, Deputy Secretary-General Eliasson, for your thorough briefing. Distinguished Foreign Ministers, thank you for joining us today. Across Israel, Jerusalem, the West ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 October, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
3:55 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: I’m going to take a couple of questions from the press. But first, a few additional pieces of business. First of all, we learned today that our businesses created another 118,000 new jobs in September, which means that we now have had 67 straight months of job creation; 13.2 million ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 2 October, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC October 2, 2015 We, the Governments of France, Germany, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Turkey, United Kingdom and United States of America state the following in view of the recent military actions of the Russian Federation in Syria: Begin Text: We express our deep concern with regard to the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 2 October, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC September 30, 2015 The U.S. Secretary of State joined Foreign Ministers of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) states and the Secretary General of the GCC today in New York for a ministerial meeting of the GCC-U.S. Strategic Cooperation Forum (SCF). It was the fifth SCF since its ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 September, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC September 30, 2015 The terrorist group known as ISIL, or Daesh, is continuing its campaign of destruction and looting at historic sites in Iraq and Syria. These sites have been preserved for millennia in both Iraq and Syria, whose people are suffering enormous human hardships and losing ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 September, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State United Nations New York City, DC September 30, 2015 SECRETARY KERRY: Mr. President, thank you very much and thank you for the chance to address this council, to all the colleagues on the Security Council. I appreciate the fact that Russia’s presidency has chosen to focus on this issue, and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 September, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC September 29, 2015 The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice program is offering rewards for information that will disrupt the trade of oil and trafficking of antiquities that benefit the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Secretary of State has authorized ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 September, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
The White House Office of the Press Secretary September 29, 2015 Remarks by President Obama at the Leaders’ Summit on Countering ISIL and Violent Extremism, September 29, 2015 United Nations Headquarters New York, New York 10:53 A.M. EDT PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good morning, ladies and gentlemen, heads of state and government. Last year, here at the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 29 September, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC September 28, 2015 In the year since the formation of the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL we have made progress on our campaign to degrade and defeat this unprecedented terrorist scourge. As we have acknowledged from the beginning, this will be a long-term campaign. But the situation ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 28 September, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
The White House Office of the Press Secretary For Immediate Release September 23, 2015 Statement by the President on the Occasion of Hajj and Eid Al-Adha As more than 2 million Muslims from around the world and across the United States mark the end of their holy pilgrimage of Hajj in Mecca, Michelle and I ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 September, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Statement John Kerry Secretary of State Washington, DC September 23, 2015 Teresa and I extend our best wishes to Muslims around the world for a blessed Eid al-Adha. We congratulate the nearly three million Muslims – including thousands of Americans – who are performing Hajj this year in fulfillment of one of the fundamental ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 September, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC September 21, 2015 The White House announced today that the United States is providing nearly $419 million in additional life-saving assistance for those affected by the war in Syria. This new funding brings the total U.S. humanitarian assistance in response to this conflict to more than $1.6 ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 September, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Statement John Kirby Department Spokesperson Washington, DC September 11, 2015 The United States is deeply concerned about thousands of Syrian civilians trapped in Zabadani, a besieged Syrian town near the Lebanese border that has been subjected for months to relentless regime airstrikes and barrel bombs, as well as ground attacks by Hezbollah. The Asad ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 11 September, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC August 28, 2015 U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Michael Ratney visited Moscow today, August 28, for consultations with Russian officials on the ongoing conflict in Syria. These meetings in Moscow are part of consultations to follow up on Secretary Kerry’s recent discussions with Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 28 August, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Syria and strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remaining in Syria depart immediately. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated March 3, 2015, to remind U.S. citizens that the security situation remains dangerous and unpredictable as a violent conflict between government and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 August, 2015 | Topics: Security & Emergency Messages
The White House Office Of The Press Secretary August 17, 2015 The United States strongly condemns the deadly airstrikes yesterday by the Asad regime on a market in the Damascus suburb of Douma, where more than 100 people were killed and hundreds more injured, including scores of innocent women and children. We extend our deepest ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 August, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Statement by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Syrian Regime’s Ongoing Use of Barrel Bombs in Civilian Areas The United States strongly condemns the Assad regime’s intensified bombing of civilians and civilian infrastructure across Syria, along with its continued use of barrel bombs. Since the first week of July, the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 13 August, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Statement John Kirby Department Spokesperson Washington, DC August 10, 2015 We welcome the release of prominent Syrian human rights activist Mazen Darwish. We note reports that while Mazen Darwish is no longer incarcerated, we understand that he still faces trial for his work as a human rights activist. We call on the Syrian regime ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 August, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations New York, NY August 7, 2015 Thank you, Madame President. Today, the UN Security Council has taken another step aimed at stopping the use of chemical weapons in Syria. The step is necessary because – despite our previous efforts to stop the use of chemical weapons – the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 August, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Press Statement Mark C. Toner Deputy Department Spokesperson Washington, DC August 7, 2015 The United States strongly condemns #ISIL’s kidnapping this week of a reported 230 innocent civilians, including women and children, in the central Syrian province of Homs. ISIL’s attacks have also resulted in the displacement of an estimated 2,000 people from nearby villages. ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 August, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department Of State Washington D.C. July 28, 2015 A Message to the Syrian People from Michael Ratney, the new U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Al Salam Aleikum…I am Michael Ratney, the new U.S. Special Envoy for Syria. First, I want to greet the Syrian people and express my deep commitment to doing everything I ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 28 July, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
WASHINGTON – The U.S. Department of the Treasury today imposed sanctions against a set of key Hizballah leaders, military officials, and an associate in Lebanon, further exposing and targeting Hizballah’s active support to the regime of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad and Hizballah’s terrorist activities. Today, Treasury designated Mustafa Badr Al Din, Fu’ad Shukr, and Ibrahim Aqil ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 July, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC July 8, 2015 The United States and the United Arab Emirates today launched The Sawab Center,* the first-ever multinational online messaging and engagement program, in support of the Global Coalition Against Daesh. U.S. Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs Richard Stengel and UAE ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 8 July, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
The White House Office of the Press Secretary The Pentagon 4:10 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good afternoon, everybody. I hope everyone had a wonderful holiday weekend — especially our men and women in uniform. This Fourth of July we were honored to once again welcome some of our incredible troops and their families to share ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 6 July, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Fact Sheet Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC June 25, 2015 The United States today announced more than $360 million in additional life-saving assistance for those affected by the war in Syria. This announcement was made by U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice at a White House event marking World Refugee Day. This new funding ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 25 June, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. June 18, 2015 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY World Refugee Day World Refugee Day, marked on June 20, is a time to honor those who flee violence and persecution and those who help them on their journey. It’s almost unfathomable that nearly 60 million men, women ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 June, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. June 17, 2015 Statement by Secretary Kerry On Ramadan On behalf of the U.S. Department of State, Teresa and I wish all Muslims a happy and blessed Ramadan. Ramadan is a season for heightened reflection, worship, compassion, and community. For Muslims everywhere, this special month ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 June, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 18, 2015 U.S. Special Envoy for Syria Daniel Rubinstein traveled to Moscow on May 18 to meet with a range of senior Russian counterparts. Special Envoy Rubinstein followed up on Secretary Kerry’s meetings on May 12 with President Putin and Foreign Minister Lavrov. The Special Envoy ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 May, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. May 12, 2015 Statement by National Security Council Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on Austin Tice This week, it is with a heavy heart that we mark American journalist Austin Tice’s 1,000th day in captivity. Austin was abducted in August 2012 while reporting from a suburb of ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 12 May, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC May 5, 2015 The U.S. Department of State’s Rewards for Justice Program is offering rewards for information on four key leaders of the terrorist group Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL). The Secretary of State has authorized rewards of up to $7 million for information ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 May, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations New York, NY April 30, 2015 The United States strongly condemns the Syrian regime’s April 28 shelling and bombing of Yarmouk, a Palestinian refugee camp in southern Damascus, and expresses concern over today’s reports of ongoing violent clashes in the camp. The regime’s latest aerial bombardment further threatens ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 April, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson April 30, 2015 REMARKS Secretary of State John Kerry And Syrian Opposition Council President Khaled Khoja April 30, 2015 Treaty Room Washington, D.C. SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, everybody. I’m very pleased to welcome the president of the Syrian Opposition Coalition, President Khoja. And we’re very happy to ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 30 April, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC Media Note April 27, 2015 In response to the devastating crisis in Yarmouk, Ambassador Samantha Power, the U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, announced April 24 that the United States is providing an additional $6 million to the United Nations Relief and Works Agency ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 April, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Mission to the United Nations Office of Press and Public Diplomacy New York, New York April 24, 2015 As Delivered Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a UN Security Council Briefing on the Situation in the Middle East, April 24, 2015 Thank you, Minister Judeh, for dedicating ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 April, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. April 10, 2015 Statement by NSC Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on the Situation in Yarmouk Refugee Camp We welcome UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon’s statement on the situation in Yarmouk refugee camp, and join him in calling for an end to hostilities, access for humanitarian assistance, ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 April, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Mission to the United Nations Office of Press and Public Diplomacy New York, N.Y. April 7, 2015 Statement by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on the Situation in Yarmouk. The United States strongly condemns ISIL’s advance on the besieged Palestinian community in Yarmouk, southern Damascus. Since entering Yarmouk on ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 7 April, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. April 6, 2015 STATEMENT BY MARIE HARF, ACTING SPOKESPERSON Condemning the Deaths of Red Cross/Red Crescent Staff in Syria and Yemen The United States strongly condemns the reprehensible attacks against Red Cross/Red Crescent Movement staff and volunteers in Syria and in Yemen on April 3, ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 6 April, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. April 3, 2015 STATEMENT BY MARIE HARF, ACTING SPOKESPERSON Recent Violence against Civilians in Syria The United States strongly condemns attacks this week against Syrian civilians, who continue to suffer from both the Asad regime and violent extremist groups. Fighting between regime forces and an ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 April, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Mission to the United Nations Office of Press and Public Diplomacy New York, New York March 31, 2015 AS DELIVERED Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria, Kuwait City, Kuwait, March 31, 2015 Years from now, when Syrians and the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. March 31, 2015 FACT SHEET U.S. Humanitarian Assistance in Response to the Syrian Crisis U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Samantha Power announced today at the Third International Humanitarian Pledging Conference for Syria in Kuwait that the United States will provide nearly $508 million in ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 31 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. March 26, 2015 Readout of the President’s Call with President Recep Tayyip Erdogan of Turkey The President spoke with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan today to discuss ongoing cooperation in the fight against ISIL and common efforts to bring security and stability to Iraq and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C March 25, 2015 STATEMENT BY JEN PSAKI, SPOKESPERSON Secretary of State John Kerry’s Meeting with Moaz al-Khatib Secretary of State John Kerry and Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern Affairs Anne Patterson met today with Moaz al Khatib, former President of the Syrian Opposition ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 25 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
The White House Office of the Press Secretary March 24, 2015 Statement by NSC Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice’s Meeting with Moaz al-Khatib, March 24, 2015 National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice met yesterday with Moaz al-Khatib, former President of the Syrian Opposition Coalition. Mr. Khatib offered his perspective on ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. March 19, 2015 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY Allegations of Chemical Weapons Use in Sarmin, Syria The United States is deeply disturbed by reports that the Assad regime used chlorine as a weapon again, this time on March 16 in an attack on the town of ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
The White House Office of the Press Secretary Briefing by the Press Secretary Josh Earnest March 17, 2015 The United States is aware of these reports and the videos that are circulating on social media. We are seeking additional information and cannot at this point confirm the details. But if these allegations are confirmed, this ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
US Department of State Office of the Spokesperson Jen Psaki, Department spokesperson March 15, 2015 As Secretary Kerry and many members of the administration have said many times, the only way to bring an end to the suffering of the Syrian people is through a genuine political solution consistent with the Geneva principles. By ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department of State Remarks by Antony J. Blinken Deputy Secretary of State Washington, DC March 13, 2015 Reception to Commemorate the Fourth Anniversary of the Syrian Uprising Thank you very much. And, I’m really grateful that all of you could be here, and grateful too for the extraordinary work that Daniel’s been doing every ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 13 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC March 13, 2015 As Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken announced today at an event marking the fourth anniversary of the Syrian revolution, the U.S. Department of State is working with Congress to provide nearly $70 million in new non-lethal assistance. Deputy Secretary Blinken told Syrian opposition ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 13 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department of State Special Envoy for Syria Daniel Rubinstein A message from US special Envoy for Syria Daniel Rubinstein, commemorating the 4th anniversary of the Syrian revolution March 12, 2015 “Hello…I am Daniel Rubinstein, the U.S. Special Envoy for Syria. On the occasion of the fourth anniversary of the Syrian revolution, we are reminded ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 12 March, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against all travel to Syria and strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remaining in Syria depart immediately. This Travel Warning supersedes the Travel Warning dated November 12, 2014, to remind U.S. citizens that the security situation remains dangerous and unpredictable as a civil war between government and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 March, 2015 | Topics: Security & Emergency Messages
Press Statement Jen Psaki Department Spokesperson Washington, DC February 24, 2015 Recent Attacks on Civilians in Syria The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms ISIL’s attacks yesterday on predominantly Assyrian Christian villages in the northeast Syrian province of Hasakeh, where they kidnapped dozens of civilians, including women, children, priests, and the elderly. Hundreds ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 February, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary February 19, 2015 REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AT THE SUMMIT ON COUNTERING VIOLENT EXTREMISM State Department Washington, D.C. 10:33 A.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Thank you very much. (Applause.) Thank you, John. Good morning, everyone. I want to thank John Kerry, not only for his introduction, but for the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 February, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. February 18, 2015 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY The Detention of Mazen Darwish by the Assad Regime It has been three years since the Assad regime unjustly detained leading human rights defender Mazen Darwish, founder of the Syrian Center for Media and Freedom of Expression and ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 February, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. February 17, 2015 United States Provides $125 million to the World Food Program for the Syria Crisis Increasing its commitment to help those affected by the crisis in Syria, the United States is providing an additional $125 million in humanitarian assistance to the UN World ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 February, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Mission to the United Nations Office of Press and Public Diplomacy New York, New York February 12, 2015 AS DELIVERED Explanation of Vote by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a Security Council Session on Threats to International Peace and Security Caused by Terrorist Threats, February 12, 2015 Today ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 12 February, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. February 3, 2015 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY The Death of Jordanian First Lieutenant al-Kasasbeh Jordanian First Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh represented everything that ISIL is not: he was brave, compassionate, and principled. That a young patriot — a devout Muslim, one of eight children, just months ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 February, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. February 3, 2015 Statement by the President on the Death of First Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh Today, we join the people of Jordan in grieving the loss of one of their own, First Lieutenant Moaz al-Kasasbeh, cruelly and brutally killed by ISIL terrorists. On behalf of ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 February, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Remarks John Kerry Secretary of State Foreign and Commonwealth Office London, United Kingdom January 22, 2015 FOREIGN SECRETARY HAMMOND: Good afternoon. The recent terrible events in Paris have reminded us that the battle against ISIL is not confined within the borders of Iraq and Syria and that this poisonous ideology threatens our own citizens and the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 January, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Capitol Washington, D.C. 9:10 P.M. EST THE PRESIDENT: Mr. Speaker, Mr. Vice President, Members of Congress, my fellow Americans: We are 15 years into this new century. Fifteen years that dawned with terror touching our shores; that unfolded with a new generation fighting two long and costly wars; that saw a vicious recession spread ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 20 January, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Mission to the United Nations Office of Press and Public Diplomacy New York, New York January 15, 2015 AS DELIVERED Remarks by Ambassador Samantha Power, U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations, at a Security Council Debate on the Middle East, January 15, 2015 Thank you. Foreign Minister Muñoz, bienvenido. We are grateful to ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 January, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
HEADQUARTERS UNITED STATES CENTRAL COMMAND January 14, 2015 Meetings on U.S. Train and Equip Program for Moderate Syrian Opposition, January 14, 2015 TAMPA, Fla. – As part of U.S. Central Command’s efforts to implement the congressionally-approved train and equip program for the moderate Syrian opposition forces, U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Michael K. Nagata and U.S. ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 14 January, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
The United States has extended and re-designated its Temporary Protected Status designation for Syria until the end of September 2016. This is good news for all Syrians already in the United States who already have visas and wish to extend their stay – on a temporary basis – due to the crisis in Syria. If ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 January, 2015 | Topics: Press Releases
Action Targets a Global Network of Individuals and Companies Providing Specialty Petroleum Products to Syria and Facilitating Deceptive Transactions for the Syrian Regime WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Treasury Department took action to increase pressure on those supporting the Syrian regime’s procurement of specialty fuels and base oil used in its military campaign against the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 December, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
Jen Psaki, Department Spokesperson Washington, DC December 10, 2014 Yesterday marked one full year since unknown armed groups abducted and kidnapped Syrian human rights activist Razan Zaitouneh, her husband, Wael Hamada, and her two colleagues, Samira Al-Khalil and Nazem Hamadi, in Douma, Syria. As the founder of the Violations Documentation Center, Razan played a critical ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 December, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson December 3, 2014 REMARKS Secretary of State John Kerry At the Counter-ISIL Meeting Brussels, Belgium SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, everybody. Thank you very, very much for being here. Can everybody hear? Mr. Secretary-General, Mr. Prime Minister, Excellencies, welcome everybody. I just want to begin the meeting by ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 December, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
The coalition partners, participants from 60 countries, issue a joint statement at the first ministerial-level meeting in Brussels of the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Brussels, Belgium December 3, 2014 Joint Statement Issued by Partners at the Counter-ISIL Coalition Ministerial Meeting 1. ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 December, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. Statement by NSC Spokesperson Bernadette Meehan on National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice’s Meeting with UN Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura National Security Advisor Susan E. Rice met today with the United Nations’ Special Envoy for Syria Staffan de Mistura. Mr. de Mistura ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 November, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department Of State Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC Media Note October 28, 2014 Today, Assistant Secretary of State for Population, Refugees, and Migration Anne C. Richard announced that the United States will provide $10 million in additional humanitarian assistance to help communities in the region hosting the more than 3 million refugees from ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 28 October, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
Following is the text of a joint statement issued by the Gulf Cooperation Council’s Coalition Partners Communications Conference on strengthening cooperation in public communications to combat Da’esh/ISIL and violent extremism in the region and beyond. Gulf Cooperation Council Coalition Partners Communications Conference Kuwait City, Kuwait October 27, 2014 Joint Statement The State of Kuwait, as current ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 27 October, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. October 15, 2014 Remarks by Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter ISIL General John Allen GEN ALLEN: Good afternoon, everyone. It’s good to see you all. Many familiar faces. What I’d like to do today is to discuss my trip of last ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 October, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. October 14, 2014 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY ISIL’s Dehumanization of Women and Girls Just days after we saw the best of humanity when Malala Yousafzai and Kailash Satyarthi were awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, we again confront the worst of inhumanity in ISIL. No one ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 14 October, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. October 14, 2014 REMARKS BY THE PRESIDENT AFTER MEETING WITH CHIEFS OF DEFENSE Joint Base Andrews 3:31 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Well, good afternoon, everybody. I want to thank Chairman Dempsey for bringing us here together to review coalition operations to degrade and to ultimately ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 14 October, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
The following text was released by the foreign ministers of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom and the United States and the High Representative of the European Union on September 25. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson September 25, 2014 G-7 Foreign Ministers’ Statement on Joint Action to Fight the Terrorist ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 25 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary September 24, 2014 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA IN ADDRESS TO THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY United Nations General Assembly Hall New York City, New York 10:13 A.M. EDT PRESIDENT OBAMA: Mr. President, Mr. Secretary General, fellow delegates, ladies and gentlemen: We come together at a crossroads between ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson New York, N.Y. September 24, 2014 REMARKS Secretary of State John Kerry At Syria Ministerial September 24, 2014 UN Headquarters New York, New York SECRETARY KERRY: Philip, thank you very much and thank you for chairing, and I appreciate enormously everybody’s indulgence. I’m sorry to be late. ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary New York, N.Y. September 24, 2014 FACT SHEET: Comprehensive U.S. Government Approach to Foreign Terrorist Fighters in Syria and the Broader Region As the President has said, we take seriously the terrorist threat posed by fighters in Iraq, Syria, and the broader region, including foreign terrorist fighters. More ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary September 24, 2014 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AT U.N. SECURITY COUNCIL SUMMIT ON FOREIGN TERRORIST FIGHTERS United Nations New York, New York 3:11 P.M. EDT PRESIDENT OBAMA: Thank you, His Excellency, the Secretary-General, for his statement. I’ll now make a statement in my capacity as President of ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Mission to the United Nations Office of Press and Public Diplomacy New York, N.Y. September 24, 2014 FACT SHEET: UN Security Council Resolution 2178 on Foreign Terrorist Fighters Today, President Obama is chairing a historic high-level summit of the UN Security Council focusing on the surge in Foreign Terrorist Fighters (FTFs) worldwide. At this ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 24 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. September 23, 2014 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON AIRSTRIKES IN SYRIA South Lawn 10:11 A.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good morning, everybody. Last night, on my orders, America’s armed forces began strikes against ISIL targets in Syria. Today, the American people give thanks for the extraordinary ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. September 23, 2014 FACT SHEET Threats to Cultural Heritage in Iraq and Syria The damage and looting of historic sites in Iraq and Syria, which have been preserved for millennia, have destroyed irreplaceable evidence of ancient life and society. Further damage to these countries’ treasures ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
The below security message from U.S. Embassy Beirut was sent to U.S. citizen registrants in Lebanon on September 23, 2014. Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Regional Events The U.S. Embassy in Beirut advises U.S. citizens in Lebanon that coalition airstrikes against Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) targets in Syria have begun. While there is ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 September, 2014 | Topics: Security & Emergency Messages
The below security message from U.S. Embassy Amman was sent to U.S. citizen registrants in Jordan on September 23, 2014. Security Message for U.S. Citizens: Coalition Strikes Against ISIL On September 23, 2014, the United States and regional partners, including Jordan, commenced military action against the ISIL terrorist organization in Syria. The U.S. Embassy is closely coordinating ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 September, 2014 | Topics: Security & Emergency Messages
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson New York, New York September 22, 2014 REMARKS Secretary of State John Kerry At Threats to Cultural Heritage in Iraq and Syria Event September 22, 2014 Metropolitan Museum of Art New York, New York SECRETARY KERRY: Tom, thank you very, very much for hosting us all here ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 22 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. September 21, 2014 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY OPCW Report and Ongoing Concerns with Chemical Weapons Use in Syria The OPCW’s Fact-Finding Mission investigating chlorine use in Syria recently released a second interim report that concludes with a high degree of confidence that chlorine was used ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 21 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department of State Washington, D.C. September 19, 2014 Secretary Kerry’s Interview with Hisham Melhem of Al Arabiya QUESTION: Sir, thank you for this opportunity. Let’s talk of the latest news. The Congress approved your package, aid, for the Syrian rebels. What does that mean on the ground immediately? SECRETARY KERRY: Well, it doesn’t mean ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. September 19, 2014 Building International Support to Counter ISIL The ISIL Threat: a Global Challenge The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) has dramatically undermined stability in Iraq, Syria and the broader Middle East, and poses a threat to international peace and security. ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 19 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. September 18, 2014 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON CONGRESSIONAL AUTHORIZATION TO TRAIN SYRIAN OPPOSITION State Dining Room 7:00 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Good evening. Today, the United States continues to build a broad international coalition to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist group known as ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 18 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
Secretary Kerry also testified before the House Foreign Affairs Committee on ISIL on September 18. Senate Foreign Relations Committee U.S. Senate Washington, D.C. September 17, 2014 Secretary Kerry’s Opening Statement SFRC Hearing on Iraq, Syria, and Threat Posed by Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant Chairman Menendez, Ranking Member Corker, and Members of the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. September 17, 2014 Statement by the President on the House of Representatives Vote to Authorize the Title X Train and Equip Program for the Moderate Syrian Opposition Today, the United States House of Representatives took an important step forward as our nation unites to confront ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. September 17, 2014 Readout of the President’s Meeting with his National Security Team on Foreign Terrorist Fighters This afternoon the President met with his national security team to discuss the threat posed by foreign terrorist fighters to the U.S. homeland and nations around the world ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 17 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
Secretary Hagel also testified before the House Armed Services Committee on ISIL on September 18. U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services Statement by Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel Hearing On Iraq, Syria, and ISIL Washington, D.C. Tuesday, September 16, 2014 Statement on Iraq, Syria, and ISIL Before the Senate Armed Services Committee As Prepared Chairman ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. September 16, 2014 Readout of the President’s Meeting with General John Allen, Special Presidential Envoy for the Global Coalition to Counter the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant, and Ambassador Brett McGurk, Deputy Special Presidential Envoy The President met today at the White House ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 16 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department of State Remarks by John Kerry, Secretary of State Chief of Mission Residence Paris, France September 15, 2014 Roundtable Discussion with Press in Paris September 15, 2014 Chief of Mission Residence Paris, France SECRETARY KERRY: All right. I want to make – I know we get crunched a little bit, but I really ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 15 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. Sept 12, 2014 FACT SHEET United States Announces Additional Humanitarian Assistance for Syria Crisis Secretary of State John Kerry announced today the United States is providing nearly $500 million in additional humanitarian aid to help those affected by the war in Syria. This is the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 12 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Ankara, Turkey September 12, 2014 REMARKS Secretary of State John Kerry Press Availability SECRETARY KERRY: Well, thank you for being patient. I appreciate it very, very much. And good evening to all. I’m very pleased to be back here in Turkey, where I have had a series ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 12 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
The following is the Jeddah Communiqué from the ministers representing the states of the Gulf Cooperation Council, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon and the United States following the ministers’ meeting September 11. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Jeddah, Saudi Arabia September 11, 2014 Jeddah Communiqué The ministers representing states of the Gulf Cooperation ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 11 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Jeddah, Saudi Arabia September 11, 2014 REMARKS Secretary of State John Kerry Joint Press Statement with Saudi Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal September 11, 2014 Royal Terminal Jeddah, Saudi Arabia FOREIGN MINISTER SAUD: (Via interpreter) In the name of God, the Merciful, the Compassionate, we have held today ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 11 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. September 10, 2014 STATEMENT BY THE PRESIDENT ON ISIL State Floor 9:01 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: My fellow Americans, tonight I want to speak to you about what the United States will do with our friends and allies to degrade and ultimately destroy the terrorist ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. September 10, 2014 BACKGROUND CONFERENCE CALL BY SENIOR ADMINISTRATION OFFICIALS PREVIEWING THE PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS TO THE NATION Via Telephone 5:44 P.M. EDT MS. HAYDEN: Hi, everyone. Thanks for joining us. This call tonight is on background with senior administration officials to discuss the speech the ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Washington, D.C. September 10, 2014 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY On the President’s Speech on ISIL Tonight the President spoke directly to our country about what it will take to lead the world to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL, and we are already well underway in the effort ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Department of Defense Arlington, Virginia September 10, 2014 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE CHUCK HAGEL ON PRESIDENT OBAMA’S ISIL SPEECH President Obama laid out a strong, comprehensive strategy to degrade and ultimately destroy ISIL, and the United States military is prepared to carry out its responsibilities in this counter-terrorism campaign. The men and women ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 10 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson Celtic Manor Wales, UK September 5, 2014 REMARKS Secretary of State John Kerry At Top of Meeting on Building an Anti-ISIL Coalition Co-Chaired by Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, UK Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond, and UK Defense Secretary Michael Fallon SECRETARY KERRY: Good morning, everybody. We are very ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
The following statement was issued by Secretary of State John Kerry and Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on the ISIL meeting with key allies and partners in Newport, Wales, on September 5. U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson September 5, 2014 Joint Statement by Secretary Kerry and Secretary Hagel on the ISIL meeting: This ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Press Secretary Washington, D.C. September 5, 2014 REMARKS BY PRESIDENT OBAMA AT NATO SUMMIT PRESS CONFERENCE Celtic Manor Resort Newport, Wales 4:50 P.M. BST PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good afternoon. Let me begin by thanking my great friend, Prime Minister Cameron — and his entire team — for hosting this NATO ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 5 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. Mission to the United Nations Samantha Power U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations New York, N.Y. September 4, 2014 Remarks at the Security Council Stakeout Following Consultations on Syria AS DELIVERED Good afternoon everyone. Special Coordinator Sigrid Kaag just updated the Council on the OPCW-UN Joint Mission’s progress on eliminating Syria’s declared chemical ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesperson September 3, 2014 STATEMENT BY SECRETARY KERRY Steven Sotloff Yesterday, the world bore witness again to the unfathomable brutality of ISIL terrorist murderers when we saw Steven Sotloff, an American journalist who left home in Florida to tell the story of brave people in the Middle East, ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 3 September, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
Media Note Office of the Spokesperson Washington, DC August 4, 2014 The U.S. Department of State and the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR) have signed a $600,000 cooperative agreement to comprehensively document the current condition of cultural heritage sites in Syria and assess the future restoration, preservation, and protection needs for those sites. ASOR’s ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 4 August, 2014 | Topics: Press Releases
Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Treaty Room Washington, DC February 26, 2014 QUESTION: And good day. I’m Andrea Mitchell live from the State Department here in Washington. Secretary of State John Kerry joins me now here in the Treaty Room. Mr. Secretary, thank you very much. SECRETARY KERRY: Glad to be with you. Thank you. QUESTION: Thanks ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 26 February, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders | Tags: John Kerry
U.S. Department of State Office of the Spokesperson Interview With Rima Maktabi of Al Arabiya Interview John Kerry Secretary of State Davos, Switzerland January 23, 2014 QUESTION: Hello, and welcome to this exclusive interview with Secretary of State John Kerry on Al Arabiya. Thank you so much for this interview. SECRETARY KERRY: My pleasure, happy ...
Read More» By U.S. Embassy in Damascus | 23 January, 2014 | Topics: Former U.S. Government Leaders | Tags: John Kerry
