Syria concerns

Since 1979, the United States has designated Syria a State Sponsor of Terrorism due to its support for organizations such as Hizbollah, Hamas and Palestinian Islamic Jihad. In addition, other extremist groups are present that oppose U.S. policies.

These groups have the potential to be either the targets of or perpetrators of acts of violence. On Feb. 12, 2008, an explosion in the residential Kafer Soseh neighborhood of Damascus killed Imad Moughniyeh, a senior Hizbollah operative.

In 2006, the U.S. Embassy in Damascus was attacked by terrorists armed with guns, grenades and a car bomb. The Syrian government has allowed anti-U.S. demonstrations to occur; the latest was on March 3, 2008.