EU extends sanctions against Syria by one year

Brussels   :  The Council of the European Union (EU) on Monday decided to extend sanctions against Syria by one year.

The sanctions will be extended till June 1, 2019. They were put in place in 2011 and included an oil embargo, restrictions on certain investments as well as a freeze on the assets of the Syrian central bank within the EU.

At least 259 persons and 67 entities were also subjected to a travel ban and an asset freeze, Efe news reported. 

The Council reiterated the EU's commitment to "finding a lasting and credible political solution to the conflict in Syria". 

The ongoing Syrian civil war broke out in 2011 between the government forces, along with its allies, and various forces opposing the government, including the Islamic State militants.

During the seven-year turmoil and military confrontations, Syria has witnessed large-scale devastation in various parts of its territories, with many foreign countries intervening in the crisis.

The Syrian government's troops have liberated most of the cities, towns and villages captured by rebels and Islamist terrorists.

Since its eruption in March 2011, the Syrian crisis has claimed the lives of about half a million people and displaced and wounded over 14 million.