The United States announced over a dozen sanctions against Syrian individuals and entities on September 30, 2020 to further put pressure on the Syrian government.
The sanctions target the head of the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate, the governor of the Central Bank of Syria and a business network that allegedly generates revenue for the Assad regime and its allies. The US Treasury Department announced this in a statement.
The US State Department on the same day blacklisted other three Syrian persons for their roles in the Syria conflict.
What does this mean?
All the property and interests of the property of the designated entities and the individuals in the United States have been blocked and US citizens have been prohibited from engaging in any transactions with them.
Significance
The sanctions were announced following intense clashes in southern Syria between the Russia-backed Syrian troops and local fighters from the Druze sect. As per reports, dozens were killed or wounded in the clash.
Key Highlights
• The Russian-backed 5th Corp of the Syrian army is among those sanctioned by the US Treasury Department and State Department.
• The 5th Corp was set up in March 2011 when the fighting first broke out in the country and includes rebels who initially fought the Syrian President but later joined his service.
• The US State Department has also decided to sanction the 5th Corp’s commander, Maj. Gen. Milad Jedid for his involvement in the obstruction, disruption and prevention of ceasefire in Syria.
US Sanctions Against Syria | ||
| • The US sanctions against Syria under the Caesar Act began in June with economic and travel sanctions. • Earlier this year as well, the US had imposed sanctions on Syrian President Bashar al Assad, his wife and their eldest son Hafez, as well as members of the extended Assad family, senior military leaders, and business executives. The sanctions impose penalties on those who do business with them. • In March 2020, the United States had designated a senior Assad regime official who is responsible for the violence and the disastrous humanitarian crisis in northern Syria. • The Department of State had also imposed sanctions under Executive Order 13894 on Minister of Defense Lieutenant General Ali Abdullah Ayoub for his deliberate actions since December 2019 to prevent a ceasefire from taking place in northern Syria. • According to the US, this obstruction left almost a million people displaced from their homes and in dire need of humanitarian aid amid the cold winter in Idlib. • The US holds Russia-backed Assad regime responsible for the continued bombardments that destroyed schools and hospitals and killed civilians, including medical professionals and first responders risking their lives to save others.
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Background
The Syrian Civil War has entered its tenth year. The conflict is a multi-sided civil war being fought between forces led by Syrian President Bashar al-Assad backed by domestic and international allies and various domestic and foreign forces opposing both the Syrian government and each other,
The United States aims to continue using all diplomatic and economic tools to pressure the Assad regime and its backers, including Russia to come to the negotiating table and participate constructively to alleviate the suffering of Syrian people and meet their future aspirations.
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