Update 1:45pm: This shouldn’t affect the Syrian ambassador to the United Nations, although he has required to stay within New York City since last month after Syrian-Americans complained that he had been traveling around the US trying to rally support for Assad’s government.
Update 12:50pm: Here’s another tweet speculating as to the timing of the Syrian Embassy shutdown.
I tend to agree that there may be some merit in these theories. The US is currently locked in a game of cat and mouse with Russia over the Crimea issue. President Obama has been pressured by both sides of the aisle to take action. This move to shut down the Syrian Embassy and declare all of Assad’s people in the US persona non grata may send a message to Russia about the kind of leader Obama really is.
Original Story:
As of today, the Syrian Embassy in the United States has been shut down. According to an unnamed source in the State Department, the US government has shut down the Syrian Embassy in DC, as well as all the consulates throughout the United States. Any members of the Assad regime still in the United States have been asked to leave immediately. The Syrian Embassy’s website confirms that it will no longer be in operation, beginning today.
This is a big deal. Given that the US embassy in Syria has been shuttered since February, indications that relations are incredibly strained are nothing new, but this is a huge move on the United States’ part.
There is also an unconfirmed State Department release floating around Facebook and Twitter that reads as follows:
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
For Immediate Release March 18, 2014
2014
STATEMENT BY SPECIAL ENVOY FOR SYRIA, DANIEL RUBINSTEIN
This week marks the three-year anniversary of the Syrian revolution. For three years, Bashar al-Asad has refused to heed the call of the Syrian people to step aside. He has directed a war against his own people and created a humanitarian catastrophe in order to hold on to power and protect his narrow interests.
Following the announcement that the Syrian Embassy has suspended its provision of consular services, and in consideration of the atrocities the Asad regime has committed against the Syrian people, we have determined it is unacceptable for individuals appointed by that regime to conduct diplomatic or consular operations in the United States.
Consequently, the United States notified the Syrian government today that it must immediately suspend operations of its Embassy in Washington, DC and its honorary consulates in Troy, Michigan, and Houston, Texas. Syrian diplomats at the Embassy and Syrian honorary consulates are no longer permitted to perform diplomatic or consular functions and those who are not U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents must depart the United States.
Despite the differences between our governments, the United States continues to maintain diplomatic relations with the state of Syria as an expression of our longstanding ties with the Syrian people, an interest that will endure long after Bashar al-Asad leaves power.
The United States will continue to assist those seeking change in Syria, to help end the slaughter, and to resolve the crisis through negotiations – for the benefit of the Syrian people
This is a breaking story, so we’ll have some updates for you throughout the day, but for now, here are some things to keep in mind as the story unfolds: This is a big move on the part of the United States; it was done quickly and quietly and we still don’t know how Syria will react. Also, there is speculation that this may be a message to Russia regarding the conflict in the Ukraine. But I think we can all agree this is a huge moment — stay here for updates as this story unfolds.
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Anneliese Mahoney (@AMahoney8672) is Lead Editor at Law Street and a Connecticut transplant to Washington D.C. She has a Bachelor’s degree in International Affairs from the George Washington University, and a passion for law, politics, and social issues. Contact Anneliese at amahoney@LawStreetMedia.com.
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