US designates 3 Syrian military officials over Eastern Ghouta chemical attack

WASHINGTON

The US on Monday designated three Syrian regime military officials involved in a chemical attack in Eastern Ghouta, a suburb of Damascus, in 2013.

"Of the atrocities committed by the Assad regime, some of which rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity, few are as inhumane and abhorrent as the repeated use of chemical weapons against civilians...Today, we are taking additional action to promote accountability," said Secretary of State Antony Blinken in a statement.

Those sanctioned are Brigadier General Adnan Aboud Hilweh, Major General Ghassan Ahmed Ghannam and Major General Jawdat Saleebi Mawas, who Blinken said were involved in gross violations of human rights, “namely the flagrant denial of the right to life of at least 1,400 people in Ghouta.”

"As a result of today’s action, Hilweh, Ghannam and Mawas as well as their immediate family members are ineligible for entry into the United States," said the top diplomat.

In August 2013, the Syrian army launched rockets carrying the nerve agent sarin, a deadly chemical, on Eastern Ghouta.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms any use of chemical weapons anywhere, by anyone, under any circumstances," said Blinken, adding the US calls on the Assad regime to fully declare and destroy its chemical weapons program.

He also said the US will continue to support Syrian-led and international efforts to ensure there are consequences for the ongoing human rights violations and abuses committed in Syria.