Syria slams EU sanctions as 'serious threat' to Syrian lives
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An official in the Syrian Foreign Ministry says the sanctions are based on propaganda and Western lies.
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Building of the Syrian Foreign Ministry in Damascus, Syria (Sputnik)
Syria slammed on Tuesday Europe's new wave of sanctions targeting government officials, which hindered the process of responding to quake-affected areas and providing victims with dire aid.
The EU imposed fresh sanctions on 25 Syrian officials and eight entities, including a Russian company, allegedly involved in violations of human rights and drug trafficking.
The bloc claimed that the sanctions "are not meant to impede the provision humanitarian assistance to any part of the country," which was struck by a catastrophic earthquake in February, leaving thousands dead and wounded and millions displaced.
Read more: Top EU officials demand lifting of sanctions on Syria 'immediately'
An official in Syria's Foreign Ministry accused the union of "repeating lies" by "claiming sanctions on Syria do not impede the delivery of humanitarian aid or access to food and medical equipment," state news agency SANA reported.
The measures are "a serious threat to the lives and livelihood of Syrians," the official added.
According to the sanctions statement, the EU "designated various members of the Assad family — including multiple cousins of Bashar al-Assad, leaders and members of regime-affiliated militias and businesspeople with close ties to the Assad family, as well as persons associated with the Syrian army and the Syrian military intelligence."
The union also targeted private security companies, which it claimed are recruiting fighters for the Syrian government, and a Russian firm, Stroytransgaz, for its alleged control over Syria's largest phosphate mine.
Joining the United States and the UK, Europe also targeted Samer Kamal Al-Assad and Wassim Badi Al-Assad with sanctions.
