The European Union imposed additional sanctions against Syria on Friday, targeting backers of President Bashar al-Assad as the bloody conflict gets worse with no prospect of a peace deal.



“Seven persons and six entities providing support to the Syrian regime as well as benefitting from it have been targeted,” a statement said.



“This brings the number of persons and entities targeted by EU sanctions over the violent repression against the civilian population in Syria to 218 persons and 69 entities,” it said.



The move follows a December decision to extend the sanctions regime to hit Assad and his supporters.



The European Union will publish the names of the individuals and entities in its Official Journal on Saturday, bringing the measures into effect.



More than 220,000 people are believed to have died in Syria since a March 2011 popular uprising against Assad turned into a bloody sectarian conflict which has displaced millions and destroyed much of the country.



Last Update: Wednesday, 20 May 2020 KSA 09:44 - GMT 06:44