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Safety and Security

The Department of State continues to warn U.S. citizens against travel to Syria and strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remaining in Syria depart immediately per the U.S. Department of State’s Syria Travel Warning. The Syrian regime has used deadly force to quell anti-government protests and is engaged in a full-scale civil war with armed groups. The government is no longer in control of vast swathes of the country, particularly in northern, southern and eastern Syria and Damascus suburbs. Some armed groups have utilized car bombs, improvised explosive device/indirect-fire attacks, sniper fire, and carried out kidnappings throughout the country. Foreign combatants – including Iranian regime elements, Hizballah fighters, Islamic extremists, and al Qaida-linked elements – are also participating in hostilities. The Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) controls large amounts of territory in the north and east of the country where it has committed atrocities against civilians, including the murder of U.S. citizens.

Syrian regime military operations have involved the use of ballistic missiles, aerial attacks, heavy artillery, and chemical weapons targeting civilian centers. Attacks from the regime or other groups could happen with little or no warning, no part of Syria should be considered immune from violence, and the potential exists throughout the country for unpredictable and hostile acts, including kidnappings, sniper assaults, terrorist attacks, large- and small-scale bombings, as well as arbitrary arrest, detention, and torture.

The U.S. intelligence community assesses with high confidence that the Asad regime has used chemical weapons, including the nerve agent sarin, against the Syrian people multiple times over the past year. The continuing violence, deteriorating security situation, and Syria’s continuing chemical and biological weapons program creates a particularly volatile situation. The security situation throughout the country is very likely to remain volatile and unpredictable for the foreseeable future, with some areas, especially in the contested population centers, experiencing substantially increased levels of violence. The conflict has resulted over 200,000 deaths with many thousands more wounded, over 3.2 million refugees and over 7.6 million internally displaced persons.

There is an ongoing and increased risk of kidnapping of U.S. citizens and Westerners in general throughout the country. U.S. citizens remain a specific target, with several high profile abductions since mid-2012. U.S. citizens held captive by ISIL were recently murdered by the group, which also released videos of the killings and publicly took responsibility for their deaths. U.S. citizens have been abducted by other individuals and groups in Syria, and from various locations, including the Damascus and Aleppo areas. Other U.S. citizens have gone missing and are believed kidnapped since the outbreak of hostilities, from diverse backgrounds ranging from academia and journalism to humanitarian work. The risk for kidnapping is high and persists for U.S. citizens of all backgrounds, in all areas of Syria.

A porous border with Iraq and long-standing border issues with Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey and Israel, have contributed to a complex security environment in Syria, compounded by a protracted violent conflict and influx of foreign fighters. There have been multiple reports of Syrian shelling of neighboring countries near border areas throughout 2012,2013 ,2014 and on-going in 2015 most significantly in Lebanon, Turkey, and the Golan Heights. Indirect fire has crossed into Lebanon on several occasions and Syria-based extremists associated with ISIL and al-Nusrah Front have conducted several incursions into Lebanon, illustrating the continued potential for spillover of Syria’s conflict throughout the region.

Syria has been a State Sponsor of Terrorism since 1979 and has given political support to a variety of terrorist groups affecting the stability of the region. Terrorists often do not distinguish between U.S. government personnel and private U.S. citizens. Terrorists may target areas frequented by Westerners, such as tourist sites, hotels, restaurants, bars, nightclubs, and other frequently visited areas. U.S. citizens still in Syria are strongly encouraged to depart Syria immediately. U.S. citizens who choose to remain despite this warning should maintain a high level of vigilance and be aware of their surroundings. It is especially important for travelers to be unpredictable in their movements by varying times and routes and maintaining a low profile. 

While most Syrians appear genuinely friendly towards foreigners, underlying tensions can lead to a quick escalation in the potential for violence. Elements within both the regime, as well as non-state actor groups, maintain anti-American or anti-Western sentiment, which may intensify following significant events in the region, particularly those related to U.S.-Syria relations, international intervention in the ongoing conflict, Israeli-Palestinian issues, the status of Jerusalem, and clashes in Lebanon.

Security personnel frequently place foreign visitors under surveillance. Hotel rooms, internet connections, telephones, and fax machines may be monitored, and personal possessions in hotel rooms may be searched. Taking photographs of anything that could be perceived as being of military or security interest may result in questioning, detention and/or confiscation of the images. Additionally, U.S. citizens should be aware that conversations on the topics of politics, religion, and other social issues could lead to arrest. It is also illegal in Syria to possess specific-use electronic devices including GPS, short-wave or handheld radio equipment, or similar devices.

U.S. citizens should increase their vigilance if they travel to the border area with Iraq or Israel, the Golan Heights, or the Al-Jazira (eastern Syria) region. Please see the Travel Warnings  for Iraq and Israel, The West Bank, and Gaza for additional information.

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CRIME: The rate of crime in major Syrian cities is difficult to determine because of the country is currently experiencing a violent civil war. The current unrest and significant deterioration of the Syrian economy have led to a perceived increase in criminal activity. Since the suspension of operations of the U.S. Embassy in Damascus in February of 2012, the U.S. government has not been able to provide accurate information about crime to U.S. citizens visiting or living in Syria. The Department of State strongly recommends that U.S. citizens remaining in Syria depart immediately.

VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you or someone you know becomes the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. As the U.S. Embassy in Damascus has suspended operations, U.S. citizens are reminded that the Czech Government, through the Czech Embassy in Damascus, currently serves as the Protecting Power for U.S. interests in Syria; however, their ability to provide services is limited. A U.S. embassy or consulate in a neighboring country can:

  • Replace a stolen passport.
  • Help you find appropriate medical care if you are the victim of a violent crime such as assault or rape.
  • Put you in contact with the appropriate local law enforcement authorities and contact family members or friends at your request.
  • Help you understand the local criminal justice process and direct you to local attorneys, although it is important to remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime and that the U.S. government does not provide legal advice or assistance with legal fees associated with private legal or other services.

The local equivalents to the “911” emergency line in Syria are 110 for ambulance, 113 for fire, and 112 for the police. Syrian operators, however, do not usually speak English.

Please see our information for victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.

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Population: 17,500,658


Total Land Area: 183,630 km2


Population/km2: 95.30