U.S. sanctions Syrian official over human rights violations
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – The U.S. Department of State announced on Friday sanctions on an official of the Syrian government forces along with his wife and four adult children over involvement in human rights violations.
The Department of State sanctioned Brigadier General Abdel Salam Fajr Mahmoud of the Syrian Air Force, along with his wife, Suhair Nader al-Jundi, and their four adult children.
The sanctions, issued under Section 7031(c) of U.S. law, are a response to his alleged involvement in gross human rights violations, including acts of torture.
According to a statement released on the Department’s official website, these measures coincide with the one-year anniversary of provisional steps taken by the International Court of Justice against the Syrian government.
The sanctions target Mahmoud and his family for their roles in severe human rights abuses, described as torture and cruel, inhumane, or degrading treatment.
The statement also highlighted the staggering toll of the Syrian conflict, reporting over 15,000 documented cases of deaths due to torture and abuse, including American citizens. Despite international directives, the Syrian government has reportedly failed to address these violations.
Human rights organizations continue to document widespread arbitrary detention and torture by the government, including recent cases involving Syrians fleeing from Lebanon.
The U.S. underscored its commitment to a just and accountable resolution of the Syrian conflict and urged the government to immediately cease its brutal practices and comply with the International Court of Justice’s orders.