15/10/2019 10:40
Trump signs decree imposing sanctions on Turkey
US President Donald Trump signed a decree imposing sanctions on Turkey over its military operation in Syria, US Secretary of State Michael Pompeo said in a statement on Monday.
"President Donald J. Trump has now signed an Executive Order to press Turkey to halt its military offensive against northeast Syria and adopt an immediate ceasefire," Pompeo said in a statement, released by the US Department of State.
"The Executive Order gives the Department of Treasury and the Department of State, the authority to consider and impose sanctions on individuals, entities, or associates of the Government of Turkey involved in actions that endanger civilians or lead to the further deterioration of peace, security, and stability in northeast Syria," the document says.
"Three senior Turkish officials, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Defense have been designated for sanctions under these authorities, concurrent with the signing of the Executive Order," it says.
The US secretary of state added that "to avoid suffering further sanctions imposed under this new Executive Order Turkey must immediately cease its unilateral offensive in northeast Syria and return to a dialogue with the United States on security in northeast Syria."