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US President Donald Trump has announced that he will sign an executive order authorizing imposition of sanctions against current and former officials of the Government of Turkey over "Operation Peace Spring".
While the executive order has foreseen no sanctions against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, the sanctions will apply to Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar and Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Fatih Dönmez.
According to a statement for the press released by the US Department of Treasury, Turkey's Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources, as well as the above-mentioned three ministers "are blocked as a result of today's action",
"Furthermore, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates any significant financial transactions for or on behalf of the persons designated today could be subject to U.S. correspondent or payable through account sanctions", the Department has indicated further.
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A 30-day wind down period
While the Department has announced that the Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) is "prepared to issue authorizations, such as general or specific licenses, as appropriate, to ensure that today's action does not disrupt Turkey's ability to meet its energy needs", three general licences have also been simultaneously issued with the executive order.
The first general license has "authorized the conduct of the official business of the US Government by employees, grantees, or contractors otherwise prohibited by the order." The second one has authorized "a 30-day wind down period for all transactions and activities that are ordinarily incident and necessary to the wind down operations, contracts, or other agreements involving" above-mention two ministries.
Lastly, the third general license has authorized "official activities of the United Nations involving the Ministry of National Defence or the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Government of Turkey."
Within this context, the Department of Treasury hasannounced that "today's actions are not intended to affect or disrupt the operation of international humanitarian NGOs or the United Nations in Turkey in rendering humanitarian assistance to Syrian communities in need."
'Turkey accountable for endangering civilians'
The Department of Treasury has further indicated that "the Turkish Government's actions are endangering innocent civilians, and destabilizing the region, including undermining the campaign to defeat ISIS."
Speaking about the issue, US Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin has also stated, "The United States is holding the Turkish Government accountable for escalating violence by Turkish forces, endangering innocent civilians, and destabilizing the region."
Statement by US Department of State
US Secretary of State Michael R. Pompeo has also released a statement on behalf of the Department of State.
"As the President has made clear, Turkey's actions in northeast Syria severely undermine the D-ISIS campaign, endanger civilians, and threaten the security of the entire region", Pompeo has indicated and added:
"If Turkey's operation continues, it will exacerbate a growing and daunting humanitarian crisis, with potentially disastrous consequences.
"To avoid suffering further sanctions imposed under this new Executive Order Turkey must immediately cease its unilateral offensive in northeast Syria and return to a dialogue with the United States on security in northeast Syria."
First reactions from the US: 'Not Enough'As reported by T24 news website, the first reaction from the US has come from Michael McCaul, Chair of House of Representatives's Committee on Foreign Affairs. McCaul has commented that the scope of economic sanctions is not enough. Having introduced a bipartisan sanctions bill against Turkey, US Republican Senator Lindsey Graham has also shared a statement in response to the executive order. "I strongly support President Trump's decision to initiate executive order sanctions against Turkish officials" over Turkey's operation into northern Syria. "President Trump gave Turkey the ability to undo the strategic damage they have already caused in a win-win fashion. I hope they will accept his outreach", Graham has indicated further and added, "Until there is a ceasefire and an end to the bloodshed, sanctions must continue and increase over time." |
Statement by Trump before signing the order
Shortly before he signed the executive order authorizing a series of sanctions against Turkey at around 1 a.m. at local time in Turkey today (October 15), he announced that "he would be issuing the executive order" with a statement for the press. He shared the below statement:
"I will soon be issuing an Executive Order authorizing the imposition of sanctions against current and former officials of the Government of Turkey and any persons contributing to Turkey 's destabilizing actions in northeast Syria. Likewise, the steel tariffs will be increased back up to 50 percent, the level prior to reduction in May.
"The US will also immediately stop negotiations, being led by the Department of Commerce, with respect to a $100 billion trade deal with Turkey.
"This Order will enable the US to impose powerful additional sanctions on those who may be involved in serious human rights abuses, obstructing a ceasefire, preventing displaced persons from returning home, forcibly repatriating refugees, or threatening the peace, security, or stability in Syria.The Order will authorize a broad range of consequences, including financial sanctions, the blocking of property, and barring entry into the US.
"Since my first day in office, the Trump Administration has worked tirelessly to preserve the safety and security of the United States and its citizens.The United States and our partners have liberated 100 percent of ISIS's ruthless territorial caliphate.Turkey must not put these gains in jeopardy.
"Turkey must also prioritize the protection of civilians, particularly vulnerable ethnic and religious minorities in northeast Syria.Indiscriminate targeting of civilians, destruction of civilian infrastructure, and targeting of ethnic or religious minorities is unacceptable. Additionally, the return of refugees must be conducted in a safe, voluntary, and dignified manner.
"Turkey's military offensive is endangering civilians and threatening peace, security, and stability in the region. I have been perfectly clear with President Erdogan: Turkey 's action is precipitating a humanitarian crisis and setting conditions for possible war crimes.
"Turkey must ensure the safety of civilians, including religious and ethnic minorities, and is now, or may be in the future, responsible for the ongoing detention of ISIS terrorists in the region.Unfortunately, Turkey does not appear to be mitigating the humanitarian effects of its invasion.
"As I have said, I am withdrawing the remaining United States service members from north east Syria .As United States forces have defeated the ISIS physical caliphate, United States troops coming out of Syria will now redeploy and remain in the region to monitor the situation and prevent a repeat of 2014, when the neglected threat of ISIS raged across Syria and Iraq.A small footprint of United States forces will remain at At Tanf Garrison in southern Syria to continue to disrupt remnants of ISIS.
"The United States will aggressively use economic sanctions to target those who enable, facilitate, and finance these heinous acts in Syria.I am fully prepared to swiftly destroy Turkey's economy if Turkish leaders continue down this dangerous and destructive path."
(TP/SD)
