April 29, 2011

Obama signs executive order sanctioning Syrians involved in government crackdowns

The sanctions are leveled against two relatives of President Bashar Assad, Syria's intelligence agency and its director, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force in response to their part in crackdowns on Syrian protests

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U.S. President Barack Obama signed an executive order on Friday imposing new sanctions against two relatives of President Bashar Assad, Syria’s intelligence agency and its director, and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps – Qods Force in response to their part in crackdowns on Syrian protests, senior U.S. officials said.

Assad was not among those targeted for the sanctions, which will include asset freezes and bans on U.S. business dealings, but he could be named later if violence by government forces against pro-democracy protesters continues, the officials said.

The action builds on U.S. sanctions against Syria in place since 2004. The Syria Accountability Act (SAA), leveled against the Middle East country in 2004, prohibits the export of most goods containing more than 10% U.S.-manufactured component parts to Syria.

Read more at Haaretz.com.