U.S. imposes sanctions on Turkey

U.S. President Donald Trump has signed an executive order authorizing sanctions on Turkey over its military operation in northeastern Syria, U.S. secretary of state Michael Pompeo said.

The order is aimed at making Turkey "to halt its military offensive against northeast Syria and adopt an immediate ceasefire," the statement posted on the State Department website reads.

It gives the Department of Treasury and the Department of State, the authority to "consider and impose sanctions on individuals, entities, or associates of the Government of Turkey involved in actions that endanger civilians or lead to the further deterioration of peace, security, and stability in northeast Syria," Pompeo said.

"To avoid suffering further sanctions", Turkey must "immediately cease its unilateral offensive in northeast Syria and return to a dialogue with the United States," Pompeo noted.

Turkey’s operation in northeast Syria "lead to the further deterioration of peace, security, and stability" in the region, the State Department said.

Three senior Turkish officials, the Ministry of Energy, and the Ministry of Defense have been designated for sanctions under these authorities, concurrent with the signing of the Executive Order.