Washington - The U.S. Treasury Department's Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC) has taken action against two Turkish government departments and three senior government officials in response to Turkish military operations in Syria. The Turkish government's actions are endangering innocent civilians and destabilizing the region, including by undermining the campaign to defeat ISIS. The Ministry of National Defense and the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Turkish government, as well as the Minister of National Defense, the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and the Minister of Interior are blocked in the rest of today's action. The designation of these ministries and officials is the result of the actions of the Turkish government which further deteriorate the peace, security and stability of the region. We are willing to impose additional sanctions on Turkish government officials and entities as needed.

"The United States holds the Turkish government accountable for the escalation of violence, the endangerment of innocent civilians, and the destabilization of the region by Turkish forces," Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said.

In addition, persons who engage in certain transactions with designated persons today may themselves be designated. In addition, any foreign financial institution that knowingly facilitates any material financial transaction for or on behalf of the persons named today could be subject to US correspondent or account liability.

The actions taken today are not intended to disrupt or disrupt the operation of international humanitarian NGOs or the United Nations in Turkey, which provide humanitarian assistance to Syrian communities in need.

OFAC stands ready to issue authorizations, such as general or specific licenses, as appropriate, to ensure that the actions taken today do not disrupt Turkey's ability to meet its energy needs.

In addition, OFAC issued three blanket licenses concurrently with today's executive order. General License 1 authorizes official employees, beneficiaries, or contractors prohibited by the order to conduct official business of the United States government. General License 2 authorizes a 30-day withdrawal period for all transactions and activities that are normally incidental and necessary to withdrawal operations, contracts or other agreements involving the Departments of National Defense or Energy and Natural Resources of the government of Turkey. General License 3 authorizes official United Nations activities involving the Ministry of National Defense or the Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Government of Turkey.

Designations Bases and Authorities

The Ministry of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey has been designated in accordance with the Political Decision of October 14, 2019 as a sub-division, agency or intermediary of the Turkish Government.

The Ministry of Energy and Natural Resources of the Republic of Turkey is designated according to the Technical Decision of October 14, 2019 as a sub-division, agency or intermediary of the Government of Turkey.

Hulusi Akar, Minister of National Defense of the Republic of Turkey, is appointed in accordance with the Presidential Decree of October 14, 2019 for his status as a former or current official of the Government of Turkey.

Suleyman Soylu, Minister of Interior of the Republic of Turkey, is appointed in accordance with the Presidential Decree of October 14, 2019 for his status as a former or current official of the Government of Turkey.

Fatih Donmez, Minister of Energy of the Republic of Turkey, is designated in accordance with the Presidential Decree of October 14, 2019 for his status as a former or current official of the Government of Turkey.

As a result of today's action, all property and interests in property of such persons, and any other persons restrained by operation of law, located in the United States or in the possession or under the control of persons of American nationality must be blocked and reported to OFAC. On October 14, 2019, for example, OFAC regulations prohibit any transactions made by U.S. nationals or within (or in transit through) the United States, involving property or interests in property belonging to persons blocked.

[EN] To identify information about the individuals and entities named today, click here.