U.S. sanctions 'key enablers' of Syrian leader Bashar al-Assad

Sept. 30 (UPI) -- The United States sanctioned three individuals and 13 entities Wednesday as part of an ongoing effort to target facilitators of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's regime.

The Treasury Department announced the sanctions against Hazem Younes Karfoul, head of the Central Bank of Syria; Husam Muhammad Louka, Head of the Syrian General Intelligence Directorate and businessman Khodr Taher Bin Ali.

"Those who continue to stand with the brutal regime of Bashar al-Assad further enable its corruption and human rights abuses," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

"As we mark three years since the regime's slaughter of Syrian civilians in Armanaz, Syria, the United States will continue to employ all of its tools and authorities to target the finances of anyone who profits from or facilitates the Assad regime's abuse of the Syrian people."

The three were designated as "key enablers" of the Assad regime and placed on the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List.

The sanctions freeze any U.S. assets held by the individuals and prohibit Americans from conducting business with them.

Dating back to June, the United States has sanctioned numerous members of Assad's regime, including his wife, Asma al-Assad, to force compliance with U.N.-led negotiations to end the civil war that began when the Assad regime attempted to forcefully quell pro-democracy protests in 2011.