US sanctions Turkish ministries over Syria offensive

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 15, ARMENPRESS. The US has sanctioned two Turkish ministries and three senior government officials in response to the country's military offensive in northern Syria, BBC reported.

President Donald Trump also phoned his Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan to demand an immediate truce, Vice-President Mike Pence said.

Turkey says its offensive aims to push Kurdish forces from the border region and establish what the government in Ankara describes as a “safe zone”.

The US Treasury published a statement,which said that action was taken against Turkey's defense and energy ministries, as well as the ministers of defense, energy and interior.

“The Turkish government's actions are endangering innocent civilians, and destabilizing the region, including undermining the campaign to defeat ISIS [Islamic State]”, the statement added.

On October 9, Ankara launched an offensive in north Syria.

The world community has condemned Turkey’s actions.