US | Syria US May Shut Syrian Embassy Washington demands better protection By John Johnson Posted Jan 20, 2012 3:45 PM CST Copied In this July 11, 2011, file photo, a paper on the U.S. embassy in Damascus building reads: "Ford go out now," referring to the U.S. ambassador Robert Ford. (AP Photo, File) One more tangible sign that Syria is growing increasingly isolated amid its violent crackdown on protesters: The US is threatening to shut its embassy in Damascus by the end of the month because of the growing violence, reports the Washington Post. Administration officials say they will make good on the threat unless President Bashar al-Assad provides better protection for employees and staff. “Unless we see that, we have no choice,” says one. The Arab League, meanwhile, is deciding whether to extend its widely panned observers' mission. Read These Next President asks nation's top generals to loosen up. Federal judge rips into Trump himself in deportation ruling. Government shutdown is here. Here's what to expect. Defense officials react to Hegseth's Quantico meeting. Report an error