U.S. Urges Americans to Leave Syria Immediately

The United States on Thursday urged Americans to make immediate plans to leave Syria, which has been wracked by anti-regime protests for months, warning anti-foreigner sentiment is mounting.

"The U.S. Department of State urges U.S. citizens in Syria to depart immediately while commercial transportation is available," the State Department said in an updated travel warning.

"Given the ongoing uncertainty and volatility of the current situation, U.S. citizens who must remain in Syria are advised to limit nonessential travel within the country," it said.

"U.S. citizens not in Syria should defer all travel to Syria at this time," it said.

The warning reinforced one given on August 5 -- making the same appeal for Americans to leave Syria immediately -- and gave updated information since fresh U.S. sanctions were imposed on Syria on August 18.

It also said "Syrian efforts to attribute the current civil unrest to external influences have led to an increase in anti-foreigner sentiment."

By contrast, the warning on August 5 said only that "Syrian efforts to attribute the current civil unrest to external influences may lead to an increase in anti-foreigner sentiment."