Assad loyalists storm US and French embassies
Attackers smash windows and raise Syrian flag at US compound, but are driven back by security guards at French embassy.
Supporters of the Syrian government have stormed the US and French embassies in Damascus, prompting strong condemnation by the two countries' officials.
Witnesses describing Monday's assault said the attackers smashed windows and raised a Syrian flag at the US diplomatic compound and wrote anti-American graffiti referring to the US ambassador as a "dog".
A US official said the mob breached the wall of the embassy compound before being dispersed by Marine Corps guards.
No buildings were entered and there were no injuries to embassy personnel, but the chancery building was damaged and Syrian security forces were slow to respond, the official said.
Following the attack on the embassy, the residence of the US ambassador was attacked by a mob.
The official said the Obama administration will formally protest and may seek compensation for damage caused by the attack.
The state department says it will summon a senior Syrian diplomat on Monday to condemn the assault and demand that Syria uphold international treaty obligations to protect foreign diplomatic missions.
At around the same time of the US embassy attack, security guards at the French embassy in Damacus fired into the air and used tear gas to drive back supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
One witness said three protesters were injured when embassy guards beat them with clubs.
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Read more at Al Jazeera
Supporters of the Syrian government have stormed the US and French embassies in Damascus, prompting strong condemnation by the two countries' officials.
Witnesses describing Monday's assault said the attackers smashed windows and raised a Syrian flag at the US diplomatic compound and wrote anti-American graffiti referring to the US ambassador as a "dog".
A US official said the mob breached the wall of the embassy compound before being dispersed by Marine Corps guards.
No buildings were entered and there were no injuries to embassy personnel, but the chancery building was damaged and Syrian security forces were slow to respond, the official said.
Following the attack on the embassy, the residence of the US ambassador was attacked by a mob.
The official said the Obama administration will formally protest and may seek compensation for damage caused by the attack.
The state department says it will summon a senior Syrian diplomat on Monday to condemn the assault and demand that Syria uphold international treaty obligations to protect foreign diplomatic missions.
At around the same time of the US embassy attack, security guards at the French embassy in Damacus fired into the air and used tear gas to drive back supporters of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
One witness said three protesters were injured when embassy guards beat them with clubs.
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Read more at Al Jazeera