US Imposes Fresh Sanctions On Syria, Compels Assad To End Conflict

The United States has imposed fresh sanctions aimed at thwarting any foreign business activity with Syria and compelling Syrian president Bashar al-Assad to put an end to the country’s decade-long war. For the first time in years, the U.S. has also called out Syrian First Lady Asma al-Assad, intensifying pressure on the embattled Syrian regime.

On Wednesday, the U.S. put into effect the Caesar Act, which places anyone who does business with 39 named individuals and regime entities in the crosshairs of the U.S. Treasury. The new sanctions are the toughest imposed so far on Bashar and form part of the pressure campaign that also targets Syria’s two major backers, Iran and Hezbollah.

In a statement, U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo named Bashar’s wife, Asma, as among those who have played a key role in impeding a peaceful political solution to the decades-long conflict. “I will make special note of the designation for the first time of Asma al-Assad, the wife of Bashar al-Assad, who with the support of her husband and members of her Akhras family has become one of Syria’s most notorious war profiteers,” he said. Pompeo also targeted Assad’s brother, sister, some senior generals and Iranian militia.

The fresh round of sanctions freezes the assets of anyone dealing with Syria regardless of nationality and comes amid the war-torn country’s deepening economic crisis. Syria’s currency has plunged in value on the black market, causing prices of food and medicine to soar. The crisis has also prompted groups to protest against Bashar al-Assad in government-controlled areas in recent weeks.

According to Pompeo, the new sanctions mark the beginning of a sustained campaign of economic and political pressure against Assad. He also vowed more sanctions in the coming weeks unless Syria agrees to a peaceful solution to the drawn-out war.

“We anticipate many more sanctions and we will not stop until Assad and his regime stop their needless, brutal war against the Syrian people and the Syrian government agrees to a political solution to the conflict,” he said.