Fact Check: Targeted sanctions against Assad's associates remain in place.

Fact Check: "Targeted sanctions against Assad's associates remain in place."

What We Know

Targeted sanctions against individuals associated with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad are indeed still in effect. The U.S. Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) recently designated several key figures linked to the Assad regime, particularly those involved in the production and trafficking of Captagon, a potent amphetamine. This action was taken in coordination with the United Kingdom and is part of a broader strategy to hold accountable those who support the regime through illicit activities (Treasury Sanctions).

The sanctions are implemented under various executive orders, including Executive Order 13572, which blocks property of individuals responsible for human rights abuses in Syria, and the Caesar Syrian Civilian Protection Act of 2019, which aims to impose sanctions on those supporting the Assad regime (Syria Sanctions). Recent sanctions specifically targeted individuals such as Khalid Qaddour and Samer Kamal al-Assad, who are closely linked to the regime's drug trafficking operations (U.S. sanctions supporters).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that targeted sanctions against Assad's associates remain in place is robust. The U.S. government has consistently maintained and updated its sanctions regime against the Assad regime and its affiliates since the onset of the Syrian civil war in 2011. The recent actions taken by OFAC highlight the ongoing commitment to sanctioning individuals who facilitate the regime's illicit activities, particularly in the drug trade (Reuters).

The credibility of the sources is high, as they include official statements from the U.S. Treasury and the Department of State, which are authoritative on matters of U.S. foreign policy and sanctions. Additionally, the sanctions are part of a coordinated international effort, further reinforcing their legitimacy and importance (Syria Sanctions, U.S. sanctions supporters).

While there have been discussions about easing certain restrictions in the context of humanitarian aid, these do not negate the existence of targeted sanctions against Assad's associates. The sanctions are specifically designed to prevent the regime from accessing resources that could be used to perpetuate violence against civilians (AP News).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that targeted sanctions against Assad's associates remain in place is accurate. The U.S. government continues to impose and update sanctions against individuals closely linked to the Assad regime, particularly those involved in human rights abuses and illicit drug trafficking. The consistent enforcement of these sanctions demonstrates a sustained effort to hold accountable those who support the regime's oppressive actions.

Fact Check: Targeted sanctions against Assad's associates remain in place.