The Hill News

The United States closed its embassy in Syria and evacuated remaining American personnel on Monday following an increase in violence in the country.

The move comes just days after hundreds were reportedly killed in Syria following clashes between protesters and government forces.

Russia and China vetoed a United Nations resolution on Saturday that called for Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to step down from power. The United States has warned that Assad's days are numbered, and supported the resolution.

{mosads}U.S. Ambassador Robert Ford left Syria on Monday morning, according to CNN, and Syrian officials were told of the decision following the evacuation.

Security concerns for the embassy were already heightened due to two suicide car bombings in Damascus last month at the offices of Syrian security installations.