Tensions continue to rise in the wake of Sunday’s US strike inside Syria, who today demanded a formal apology from the US and compensation. Syria’s Deputy Foreign Minister Fayssal Mekdad also called for a “pledge not to repeat” the attack, which he described as “cowardly.” They have also warned that they may stop cooperating with the US and Iraqi governments on border security if there are any future attacks.

The United States has announced that starting tomorrow it will close its Damascus Embassy to the public. The closure comes as Damascus prepares for a protest against the Sunday raid to be held tomorrow, and will continue for “an unspecified period of time.”

The attack, which killed eight people, continues to be shrouded in mystery, with the US only providing the most basic details about the action. The timing of the strike is curious, occurring in the midst of heavy negotiations with the Iraqi government on the Status of Forces Agreement and so close to the US election with no apparent catalyst. The US claims that the strike targeted a “foreign facilitator” named Abu Ghadiya, which Syria insists was not the name of any of those slain in the strike.

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