United States and France apply sanctions to fight chemical warfare in Syria

The United States and France have joined forces this week to put in place sanctions against individuals and entities that help the Bashar al-Assad regime use chemical weapons in Syria.

Office of Foreign Assets Control announced Wednesday that it has put in place sanctions against "five entities and eight individuals are key components of a vast electronics supply network on behalf of the Center. Studies and Scientific Research (SSRC), the agency responsible for the development of Syrian chemical weapons. The sanctions add to a freeze of assets against 24 others renewed by France Sunday.

"The horrific use of chemical weapons in Syria, including attacks on innocent women and children, remains deeply ingrained in our minds," said Sigal Mandelker Terrorism and Financial Intelligence, in a statement. "Today, we continue our campaign to stop the ruthless attacks of the Assad regime by targeting the supply networks that have supported its chemical weapons program."

Entities and individuals added to the list of specially designated and blocked FOCA In the past year, OFAC has been in a multi-agency effort to specifically target Katrangi Trading Electronics (EKT), an electronics based in London. supplier with operations in Syria, China and France, the US Treasury reports. EKT is a major supplier of SSRC, "including goods used in the production of weapons of mass destruction," they say. EKT employees are among those targeted by Wednesday's sanctions.

These sanctions coordinated with France are part of a continuing battle against the use of chemical weapons. Last April, the United States put in place sanctions against Russia for their assistance in Assad 's chemical weapons program. The United States, France and the United Kingdom also launched attacks on alleged chemical weapons sites in Syria last April, CNN reports, after an attack on civilians sparked an outcry. international. As partners, today's actions reinforce our ongoing international efforts with our allies to put an end to these atrocities, "Mandelker said. "We remain firm in our resolve to counter the horrific use of chemical weapons by Syria, and will continue to take aggressive action against those who provide SSRC and strengthen Syria's capacity to produce and use chemical weapons. "