Sanctions on Syrian government also threaten Washington's Kurdish allies

While US and international sanctions aren't specifically targeted at Kurdish-ruled northeast Syria, the area is impacted all the same with trade practically halted and because of the sudden plunge of the Syrian pound.
Women hold stacks of bread as they walk along an empty street, as restrictions are imposed as measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Qamishli, Syria March 23, 2020. REUTERS/Rodi Said - RC2VPF9DRWOE
Women hold stacks of bread as they walk along an empty street, as restrictions are imposed as measure to prevent the spread of the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Qamishli, Syria March 23, 2020. - REUTERS/Rodi Said
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Jared Szuba
@JM_Szuba
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Officials from northeast Syria’s Kurdish-led Autonomous Administration say their region is entering an economic crisis as US and international sanctions on Syria’s central government in Damascus have helped send the country’s currency into free fall.

The Syrian pound sunk below 3,000-to-one US dollar over the weekend, with a new round of US sanctions under Congress’ Caesar Act expected to kick in next week.

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