The United States hit Syria's defence minister and two other senior military figures with sanctions Friday, ramping pressure on Bashar al-Assad's regime as UN efforts failed to halt violence. The Treasury Department announced measures against Dawoud Rajiha as well as the army's deputy chief of staff and the head of presidential security.
In a sternly worded statement the Treasury Department said it would hold individuals accountable for a bloody crackdown that has claimed an estimated 9,000 lives and injured thousands more. "The United States will continue to work with our partners around the world to ensure that the Syrian regime and its senior officials are held accountable for the continued repression in Syria."