US Slaps Sanctions on Syria’s National Defence Forces, Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources

Western sanctions were imposed on the Syrian government after the break out of the civil war in the country that has continued up to the present, though Damascus has managed to take back control over most of the country's territory.

The US expanded its anti-Syria sanctions on Monday, blacklisting the country's National Defence Forces and the Ministry of Petroleum and Mineral Resources.

The US Treasury said in a statement that an additional nine companies and organisations linked to crude oil refining and transportation as well as military construction and the production of medicine were blacklisted.

Six Syrian and two Lebanese citizens were sanctioned.

"Today, the US Department of the Treasury's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) took action against Syrian military officials, members of the Syrian Parliament, government of Syria entities, and Syrian and Lebanese persons attempting to revive Syria's deteriorating petroleum industry", the release said. "Specifically, OFAC added seven individuals and ten entities to the Specially Designated Nationals and Blocked Persons List, pursuant to Syria sanctions authorities".

The sanctions were imposed on Damascus by the European Union and the United States in 2011, following the beginning of the civil war in the country. The Western community has accused the Syrian government of violating human rights.

The civil war along with international sanctions imposed on Syria has resulted in a poor humanitarian situation.