Azernews.Az

By Kamila Aliyeva

U.S. President Donald Trump extended the sanctions against the government of Syria for another year.

The head of state informed the U.S. Congress about this decision in a special letter, the text of which was published by the press service of the White House.

The sanctions imposed in 2006-2012 in response to the "extraordinary and extreme threat" from the side of the Syrian government "to the interests of national security, foreign policy and the U.S. economy" are being prolonged, according to the letter.

Among such actions, Trump lists "cruelty and repression" of the Syrian authorities towards their citizens, "striving for possession and use of chemical and biological weapons, weapons of mass destruction and missile programs," "support for terrorist organizations," as well as "undermining U.S. and international efforts to stabilize and restore Iraq."

"The United States condemns the brutal violence and human rights violations by the regime (Syrian President Bashar al-Assad) and calls on to end the violence against the Syrian people, respect the ceasefire, provide humanitarian assistance, allow a political transition in Syria that will lead to a greater freedom, democracy, opportunities and justice in future," the document says.

The U.S. national-emergency sanctions against Syria have been in place since 2004.

The civil war in Syria between government and opposition with various terrorist groups involved, including Daesh (also known as ISIS or ISIL), began back in March 2011.

According to a report by the Syrian Center for Policy Research, the conflict has claimed the lives of over 470,000 people, injured 1.9 million others, and displaced nearly half of the country’s pre-war population of about 23 million within or beyond its borders.

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Kamila Aliyeva is AzerNews’ staff journalist, follow her on Twitter: @Kami_Aliyeva

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