U.S. holds Syrian Government responsible for 'the slaughter of innocent lives'

In response to the May 25 massacre in the village of Haoula, today the United States has decided to expel Syrian Charge d'Affaires Zuheir Jabbour from the country. We took this action in coordination with partner countries including Australia, Canada, Spain, the United Kingdom, Italy, France, and Germany.

United Nations observers confirmed the deaths of more than 90 people, including at least 30 children under the age of 10, after the vicious assault involving tanks and artillery - weapons that only the regime possesses. There are also reports that many families were summarily executed in their homes by regime forces.

We hold the Syrian government responsible for this slaughter of innocent lives. This massacre is the most unambiguous indictment to date of the Syrian government's flagrant violations of its UN Security Council obligations under Resolutions 2042 and 2043.

We encourage all countries to condemn the actions of the Assad regime through similar action.