US-EU Export Controls and Sanctions Alert: Turkey in the Eye of International Sanctions – Update on US Actions

The Trump Administration issued an Executive Order (EO) on October 14, 2019, that authorized US Department of the Treasury (Treasury) and US Department of State to impose sanctions on various Turkish individuals and entities involved in the conflict in Northern Syria. The same day that the EO was issued, Treasury’s Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) designated three individuals and two entities as Specially Designated Nationals (SDNs) and issued three General Licenses. Then, on October 23, 2019, OFAC announced that it has lifted the previously announced sanctions on two Turkish entities and three Turkish individuals as a result of Turkey’s agreement with the US to pause its military operations in Syria.

Additionally, on October 14, 2019, the Council of the European Union (the Council) announced its condemnation of Turkey’s unilateral military action in Northeast Syria.