Attacks in Syria: U.S sanctions top Turkey officials
Admin l Tuesday, October 15, 2019
WASHINGTON, U. S – The United States has designated three senior Turkish officials, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Defense for sanctions as part of effort to halt ongoing onslaught by Turkey on Northern Syria to force it to the negotiation table.
The sanctions were imposed following an executive order signed by President Donald Trump to this effect, even though it has failed to stop continued bombardment of Northeast Syria.
The Executive Order gives the Department of Treasury and the Department of State, the authority to consider and impose sanctions on individuals, entities, or associates of the Government of Turkey involved in actions that endanger civilians or lead to the further deterioration of peace, security, and stability in northeast Syria.
“Three senior Turkish officials, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Defense have been designated for sanctions under these authorities, concurrent with the signing of the Executive Order”, the Department of States said in a statement, adding that the President has made it clear that Turkey’s actions in northeast Syria severely undermine the D-ISIS campaign, endanger civilians, and threaten the security of the entire region.
“If Turkey’s operation continues, it will exacerbate a growing and daunting humanitarian crisis, with potentially disastrous consequences”, the statement said.
It noted that to avoid suffering further sanctions imposed under this new Executive Order Turkey must immediately cease its unilateral offensive in northeast Syria and return to a dialogue with the United States on security in northeast Syria.
