Trump announces sanctions against Turkey
The Treasury Department sanctions Turkey's defense, energy, and interior ministers over Turkey's incursion into northern Syria.
The United States sanctioned Turkey's defense, energy, and interior ministers over Turkey's incursion into northern Syria, the Treasury Department announced today.
The move came after US President Donald Trump said he would issue an executive order authorizing “powerful additional sanctions” against Turkish officials, such as financial penalties, blocking property and stifling their entry into the United States.
“Turkey’s military offensive is endangering civilians and threatening peace, security, and stability in the region,” Trump said today. “I have been perfectly clear with [Turkish President Recep Tayyip] Erdogan: Turkey’s action is precipitating a humanitarian crisis and setting conditions for possible war crimes.”
Trump has touted taking down the territorial caliphate of the Islamic State (IS, also known as ISIS) in Syria as a signature foreign policy accomplishment, one which current and former officials say the Turkish incursion has put at risk. “Turkey must not put these gains in jeopardy,” Trump said
