Trump administration to issue new Syria sanctions

The Trump administration will issue new sanctions against Syria as early as today as part of its ongoing crackdown on the Syrian government and those who support it.

Three US officials say that the sanctions are part of a broader effort to cut off funding and other support to Syria’s President Bashar Assad and his government amid the country’s escalating civil war. The US blames Assad for a recent chemical attack on Syrian civilians, and responded earlier this month by launching missiles against a Syrian airfield.

One official said the sanctions will primarily target weapons manufacturers believed to aid Assad’s use of chemical weapons.

The officials spoke anonymously because they were not authorized to discuss the decision publicly. Trump has called Assad “evil” and said his use of chemical weapons “crossed a lot of lines.”

— AP