Iran Press/America: In addition to Erdogan, the sanctions target Turkey’s vice president and ministers of defense, foreign affairs, treasury, trade, and energy/natural resources, according to the text of the legislation introduced by Congresswoman Liz Cheney.
The legislation also requires the US president to impose sanctions on foreign persons or entities that provide financial or technological support to Turkey’s armed forces including the production of petroleum or natural gas.
Republicans in the US House of Representatives plan to introduce legislation that will impose sanctions on Turkey in response to Ankara's operation in northeast Syria, Representative Liz Cheney told reporters on Wednesday.
Even though Republicans do not control the chamber, the measure has a good chance of passing, with members of both parties condemning the swift eruption of violence from Turkey.
Trump's decision to withdraw US troops from Kurdish regions has come under sharp criticism from members of Congress, including from many in his Republican Party, who view the withdrawal as an abandonment of Kurdish forces.
Many have argued that the move has helped ISIS terrorists to re-emerge and re-group.
Turkey launched an operation against Kurdish fighters in northeast Syria following Trump's decision to withdraw from northern Syria.
Appearing to respond to the criticism earlier this week, Trump announced sanctions on certain Turkish officials, ratcheted up tariffs on the country's steel imports and suspended a major trade deal, but many politicians say the US response must go even further.
The Democratic leaders were announcing plans for a House vote on Wednesday on a separate nonbinding resolution opposing Trump's withdrawal. That measure is expected to pass.
That measure says Turkey should halt military actions in Syria and says the US should send humanitarian aid to the embattled Kurds. 101/211/205
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