Syrians gather at US Embassy to protest raid

Damascus: Hundreds of Syrian riot police ringed the closed US Embassy in Damascus on Thursday as tens of thousands of people gathered about a mile away for a government-orchestrated protest to denounce a deadly US raid near the Iraqi border.

The troops, wearing helmets and armed with batons and shields, took up positions around the embassy and the adjacent US residence building. The embassy was closed because of security concerns related to the protest, and the American school in Damascus was also shut for the day.

Thursday's protest came as Syria demanded a formal apology from the US for Sunday's attack in the eastern border community of Abu Kamal that Damascus says killed eight civilians. It threatened to cut off cooperation on Iraqi border security if there are more American raids on Syria territory.

As the protesters filled the Youssef Al Azmi square and surrounding streets in the upscale al-Maliki neighborhood, some Syrians formed circles and danced traditional dances while women and students joined the peaceful crowds.

The protesters waved national flags, carried pictures of President Bashar Assad and held banners, one of which called America "the sponsor of destruction and wars."

In announcing its closure Thursday, the US Embassy also warned Americans to be vigilant — raising concerns about the safety of US citizens in Syria.