US sanctions Syrian central bank, officials, entities

WASHINGTON

The US imposed new sanctions Tuesday on Syria on the anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 adopted five years ago.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added two individuals, nine business entities and the Central Bank of Syria to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.

"Through this action, the Department of the Treasury aims to discourage future investment in government-controlled areas of Syria, force the regime to end its atrocities against the Syrian people, and compel its commitment to the United Nations-facilitated process in line with UN Security Council Resolution 2254," said the agency.

The State Department also sanctioned Asma al-Assad, the wife of Bashar al-Assad, "for impeding efforts to promote a political resolution of the Syrian conflict."

"In addition, we are sanctioning several members of Asma al-Assad’s immediate family, including Fawaz Akhras, Sahar Otri Akhras, Firas al Akhras, and Eyad Akhras," said Secretary of State Mike Pompeo in a statement.

Among those listed are Lina al-Kinayeh, one of Assad’s key advisers, and her husband, Syrian parliamentarian Mohammed Masouti.

"The United States will also continue to pressure the Assad regime and its enablers to prevent them from amassing the resources to perpetuate their atrocities," said Pompeo.

Syria has been ravaged by a civil war since early 2011 when the Assad regime cracked down on pro-democracy protesters. Hundreds of thousands of people have been killed and more than 10 million displaced, according to UN estimates.

WASHINGTON

The US imposed new sanctions Tuesday on Syria on the anniversary of UN Security Council Resolution 2254 adopted five years ago.

Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) added two individuals, nine business entities and the Central Bank of Syria to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.

The State Department also sanctioned Asma al-Assad, the wife of Bashar al-Assad, "for impeding efforts to promote a political resolution of the Syrian conflict."

Among those listed are Lina al-Kinayeh, one of Assad’s key advisers, and her husband, Syrian parliamentarian Mohammed Masouti.

"The United States will also continue to pressure the Assad regime and its enablers to prevent them from amassing the resources to perpetuate their atrocities," said Pompeo.