US warns of possible attack in Damascus, renews Syria travel warning

The US has warned of a possible attack in the Syrian capital and has renewed its advice to American citizens not to visit the war-ravaged country amid these security concerns.

The State Department said Friday that it is monitoring "credible" information regarding potential, imminent attacks, including in locations frequented by tourists.

A previous alert last month cited concerns about attacks in Syria, but the latest alert specified these attacks could happen in Damascus, adding that the assaults could include lone wolf attacks, groups of armed men, or the use of improvised explosive devices.

Washington had issued a Level 4 travel warning for Syria in recent months, and said this warning remains in effect today due to significant risks of terrorism, civil unrest, kidnappings, armed conflict, and unjust detention, adding that no part of Syria should be considered safe from violence.

"Terrorists continue to plan kidnappings, bombings, and other attacks in Syria, and may launch attacks without warning, targeting public events, hotels, clubs, restaurants, places of worship, schools, parks, shopping centres, public transportation, and areas where large crowds gather," the State Department said.

The US embassy in Damascus suspended its operations in 2012, and American citizens in Syria who need emergency assistance are asked to contact the US Interests Sections at the Czech embassy.

Islamist-led rebels ousted president Bashar al-Assad’s regime in a lightning December offensive, but the country continues to reel from the effects of a devastating 14-year civil war that has seen the intervention of foreign actors.

Groups such as the Islamic State (IS) group continue to operate in remote parts of Syria and pose a threat despite being defeated years ago.

The war, which erupted in 2011 soon after Assad’s forces violently repressed pro-democracy protests, has killed over half a million people and displaced about half of the country’s pre-war population, although many refugees have returned since Assad's ouster.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his government are faced with the daunting task of stabilising the country amid divisions between various religious and ethnic groups and existing remnants of the previous regime.

While US delegations have visited Syria and met with Al-Sharaa since the toppling of Assad’s regime, President Donald Trump’s administration has said it will not recognise the new Syrian government and is now reportedly hardening its stance to Syria, demanding that Palestinian groups operating in the country be banned in exchange for the easing of sanctions.

A US official said on Thursday that his country will withdraw about 600 troops from Syria, leaving fewer than 1,000 to work with Kurdish allies to counter IS.