Washington imposes new sanctions on Syria under the so-called Caesar's law, or "Act to protect Syrian civilians", which fall under President Bashar Assad and his wife Asma. This was reported by U.S. Secretary of State Michael Pompeo.
"Today, the Ministry of Finance and the State Department are announcing 39 decisions on sanctions [against individuals and entities] under Caesar's law and Executive Order 13894, and this is the beginning of a campaign of economic and political pressure on Assad to deprive him of his income and support in waging war and committing atrocities against the Syrian people," the statement said.
"As of today, the sanctions provisions under Caesar's Law are fully in force. Anyone who does business with the Assad regime, no matter where in the world it is, could potentially fall under restrictions on entry (to the US - TASS) and financial sanctions," the text said.
"We are imposing sanctions against... Bashar al-Assad and his wife Asma ... as well as Mohamed Hamsho (one of Syria's largest entrepreneurs - TASS) and the Fatemiyoun Division of Iran's armed forces, who are financing these atrocities," Pompeo said. Sanctions are also being imposed on President's younger brother Maher Assad, older sister Bushra Assad, and several other relatives of Assad and Hamsho. The sanctions list also includes the 4th Tank Division of the Syrian Arab Army under the command of Maher Al-Assad and two officers of that unit.
"We expect to impose more sanctions," Pompeo said, noting that Washington would not stop imposing restrictions until Assad stops the war "and the Syrian government agrees to a political solution to the conflict in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2254.
As noted, the new U.S. sanctions do not concern humanitarian assistance. Washington will continue to provide it, including in areas controlled by the Syrian Government. "Caesar's Law and other U.S. sanctions on Syria do not affect humanitarian assistance to the people of Syria or hinder our stabilization activities in north-eastern Syria," the document said. "We will continue our humanitarian assistance <...> even in areas under regime control," Pompeo's statement stresses.
"The United States remains committed to working with the UN and international partners to deliver vital assistance to the Syrian people," he said.
GSV "Russia - Islamic World"
Photo: official website of the President of the Russian Federation
Based on materials from TASS