Washington imposes fresh sanctions against the Syrian regime
By: Akshay Prasad
Tags: Washington, Syrian, Turkey

The United Nations Security Council unanimously adopted Resolution 2254 five years ago, clearly identifying the only way to address the Syrian conflict on a permanent basis. Mike Pompeo, the U.S. Secretary of State, said last Friday. This dignified initiative to end the suffering of the Syrian people remains dedicated by the United States and the vast majority of the international community.

Mike Pompeo reiterated that, however, the Assad regime, backed by its proponents and allies, refuses to put an end to its futile and barbaric war against the Syrian people, thus blocking attempts to find a diplomatic solution.

The US State Department has placed sanctions on Asma al-Assad, the wife of Bashar al-Assad, for preventing efforts under Section 2 of Executive Order 13894 to facilitate the diplomatic settlement of the Syrian conflict. The State Department emphasised that Asma al-Assad has spearheaded efforts on behalf of the regime to consolidate economic and political influence, including through the use of its so-called charities and civil society organisations.

In addition, under Section 2(a)(ii) of EO 13894, we are sanctioning many members of the Asma al-Assad family, including Fawaz Akhras, Sahar OtriAkhras, Firas al Akhras and EyadAkhras. At the cost of the Syrian people, the Assad and Akhras families have acquired their illicit wealth through their influence over a large illicit network with links in Europe, the Gulf and elsewhere.”The statement continues, confirming that in the meantime, as the regime decides to cut subsidies for these important products, the Syrian people continue to wait in long lines for food, electricity, and medicine.

The U.S. Treasury Department has imposed sanctions on the Central Bank of Syria, as well as on Lina al-Kinayeh, one of Assad’s main aides, her husband, Mohammed Masouti, the Syrian legislator, and several companies associated with the regime. “The United States will continue to seek accountability for those who prolong this conflict.” The note goes on to reaffirm that the future of Syria will be determined only by the Syrian people.

To support them, since the beginning of the conflict, the United States has claimed to have provided more than $12.2 billion in humanitarian assistance, and will continue to exert pressure on the Assad regime until there is irreversible progress towards a political transition, as called for by the resolutions of the United Nations Security Council.

National cessation of fire, accountability for actions committed throughout the war, free and fair elections under the new Constitution, and the release of all unlawfully detained persons shall be needed. This is the only path for the Syrian people towards a stable future.’ The head of diplomacy for the United States concluded.On 17 December 2020, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said that Russia, the key supporter of the Assad regime, has provided Syria with 100,000 tonnes of wheat as humanitarian aid since the beginning of 2020 and, according to the Interfax news agency, expects to ship more. A dynamic and multifaceted conflict has heavily challenged the Syrian economy.

Now in its 10th year, as well as in neighbouring Lebanon due to the financial crisis. Russia, one of the world’s largest wheat exporters, has sponsored Syrian President Bashar al Assad, as stated by Reuters, but its official customs information shows no substantial supplies of grain to Syria.”In terms of rebuilding the Syrian economy, we have already made very significant decisions in recent weeks that will significantly improve Syria’s ability to organise this work in a systematic way,” Lavrov said. He also revealed that, without giving further information, decisive action on the matter is currently under consideration.

Syria needs to import between 180,000 and 200,000 tonnes of wheat a month, its Minister of Economy said last October, accusing militias of keeping farmers from selling their wheat to the central state.A few days ago, the Turkish news agency Anadolu announced that the Humanitarian Relief Foundation (IHH), based in Istanbul, had distributed coats and shoes to 4,000 children in the Idlib and Afrin regions of Syria. Help for children has been given in Syria, where the winter season is very challenging, especially for those staying in refugee camps.

Idlib, based on an agreement between Ankara and Moscow, is part of an escalation mitigation zone. The area, situated along the southern border of Turkey, has been the target of several violations accused of being committed by the two sides. Due to heavy fighting over the past year, over 1 million Syrians have pushed close to the Turkish border.After the outbreak of the bloody civil war in Syria, Turkey has received approximately 3.7 million Syrians fleeing the war, for which the European Union paid Turkey a few days ago the latest tranche of EUR 6 billion in the form of a refugee reception deal. As Ankara said it didn’t get all the promised capital, the deal dating back to 2016 led to deadlocks.

After the outbreak of the bloody civil war in Syria, Turkey has received approximately 3.7 million Syrians fleeing the war, for which the European Union paid Turkey a few days ago the latest tranche of EUR 6 billion in the form of a refugee reception deal. As Ankara said it didn’t get all the promised capital, the deal dating back to 2016 led to deadlocks.The EU Delegation to Turkey, led by Nikolaus Meyer-Landrut, announced in a statement on 17 December that it had concluded the ‘6 billion euro EU aid deal for refugees and host communities in Turkey.’ The EU delegation said that now that all the money has been handed over, it hopes that the two countries will concentrate their efforts on ensuring that refugees and host refugees are present.