BALADI NEWS
The US will sanction Bashar Al-Assad, Russia and Iran for Syrian war crimes, as landmark legislation that is on the brink of being passed in Congress.
President Donald Trump is expected to sign the National Authorisation Act of 2020 after it goes through Congress, with some suggestions that it could be signed this week.
Congress added to it the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act of 2019, which authorises the use of sanctions on Syrian regime officials, and military and government leaders thought to be responsible for the horrendous war crimes committed against civilians in the country.
The bill could provide support for Syrian victims and put economic and political pressure on the Assad regime.
It also has bipartisan support calls for accountability and justice for the hundreds of thousands of victims of the regime.
The Russian military, mercenaries operating in the war-torn country, energy companies looking to profit from Syrian oil businesses and Iranian paramilitary forces helping Assad may also be the recipient of sanctions.
The Assad regime and its supporters would be held on sanctions, and the bill would require the US president to impose new penalties on any entity that conducts business with the Syrian government or its military or intelligence services.
Source: The New Arab.