The European Union is 'considering' further sanctions against Syria

According to a draft prepared by the foreign ministers of EU countries, the union is seeking to impose new sanctions against Syria due to the production and use of chemical weapons during the country's civil war, intending to add more individuals to its blacklist. A Reuters report states that the foreign ministers of EU countries are set to meet on Monday to discuss events in Syria, while the West is simultaneously considering a military response to the chemical attack in Syria. Several EU officials stated on Friday that investigations and evidence regarding the chemical attack in Douma clearly indicate the role of the Syrian government in this incident. U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that he may respond militarily to Syria's actions. France and Britain have also stated that they are considering a military response. Reports indicate that British Prime Minister Theresa May has the support of her cabinet to take action alongside the U.S. and France to prevent another chemical attack in Syria. However, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands have stated that they will not join the military action against Syria. Other EU countries have also refrained from announcing their positions ahead of Monday's meeting. A version of this draft has been provided to a Reuters reporter. However, EU officials have indicated that changes may be made to it before the Monday meeting. In the EU's sanctions list against Syria, 257 individuals are on the blacklist, and the assets of 70 entities have been frozen in the EU. The current version of the draft specifies that if Syria continues its repression, the EU will pursue intensified sanctions. According to this draft, the EU has emphasized that if there is no political dialogue between the Syrian government and the opposition, the EU will not pay for the reconstruction of Syria. This draft also criticizes Russia, Iran, and Turkey for their military presence in Syria, stating that all must be held accountable for war crimes, including the use of chemical weapons. Fadel Abdul Ghani, head of the Syrian Human Rights Defenders Network, urged the EU to resort to military action in Syria during a meeting with European diplomats. Abdul Ghani told Reuters, 'The only way to prevent civilian massacres is to push (Bashar) Assad back to the negotiating table. We must significantly weaken the Syrian military forces.' The draft does not mention the possibility of military action in Syria by the EU.