US in fear of reprisal attacks by Syrians

Syrians living in the United States are reportedly under growing surveillance in order not to conduct retaliatory attacks inside the country following Washington’s decision to launch military strikes against Syria.

Unnamed American officials said the Federal Bureau of Investigations increased its surveillance of Syrians, saying the war on Syria could lead to terrorist attacks, The New York Times reported.

“The field offices know what they have in terms of sources and investigations, but this is a directive for them to redouble their efforts and check their traps,” a senior American official said.

A classified bulletin was also sent by the FBI and the Department of Homeland Security to alert federal, state and local law enforcement officials of potential threats created by the Syria conflict, the officials said.

According to the report, senior national security officials at FBI headquarters in Washington have told the bureau’s field offices in recent days to follow up with sources that have ties to Syrians in an attempt to find talk or evidence of a retaliatory strike.

Syrians implicated in continuing investigations will be put under even closer scrutiny, the officials said.

FBI agents are set to interview hundreds of Syrians in the coming days.

The US paved the way for military action after Secretary of State John Kerry accused the Syrian government of using chemical weapons, an allegation denied by Damascus.

On Saturday, President Barack Obama confirmed his decision to strike Syria on his own, but he said he was choosing to bring in Congress.

“While I believe I have the authority to carry out this military action without specific congressional authorization, I know that the country will be stronger if we take this course, and our actions will be even more effective,” Obama said.

Meanwhile, Russia’s President Vladimir Putin urged Obama not to attack Syria, saying it would be “utter nonsense” for the Syrian government to use chemical weapons when it was winning the war.

“That is why I am convinced that it (the chemical attack) is nothing more than a provocation by those who want to drag other countries into the Syrian conflict, and who want to win the support of powerful members of the international arena, especially the United States,” Putin said.