Sanctions Bill Against Turkey Passes in US House of Representatives

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The US House of Representatives has approved a bill to impose a series of sanctions to Turkey over its military operation in northern Syria against the Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG).

The bill was approved with 403 votes in favor and 16 votes against, with 15 Republicans and one Democrat voting against the legislation.

If the bill receives more than two thirds of the votes in the Senate as well, President Donald Trump will not be able to veto it.

Turkey launched the "Operation Peace Spring" on October 9 after a phone call between President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his US counterpart Donald Trump.

"Turkey's current action in northern Syria against our Kurdish allies is extremely concerning and we cannot stand by and let egregious human rights violations happen," Republican Congressperson Gus Bilirakis said on the House floor before the vote.

The bill includes sanctions against Turkey's ministers, suspending arms sales to Turkey and financial sanctions.

It will be voted in the Senate now and pass directly into law if it receives at least two-thirds of the votes.

US Secretary of the Treasury previously sanctioned three ministers from Turkey over the military offensive. President Trump lifted the sanctions after Turkey agreed to pause the operation in exchange for the withdrawal of the YPG members from border areas. (TP/VK)