US Senate Committee Advances Turkey Sanctions Bill

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A US Senate committee voted yesterday (December 11) to advance a sanctions bill against Turkey for its military operation in northeastern Syria and purchase of the S-400 air defense missile defense system from Russia.

The bill cleared the Senate Foreign Relations Committee with an 18-4 vote and now advances to consideration by the full Senate.

Named the "Promoting American National Security and Preventing the Resurgence of ISIS Act," the bill was sponsored by committee Chairperson Jim Risch and ranking Democrat Bob Menendez.

"Turkey's actions over the past year are truly beyond the pale," said Menendez on Twitter, adding that the bill gives a message to Turkey that its operation is "unacceptable and its purchase of the S400 system is untenable."

Ambassador: Senator is trying to deprive a NATO ally of its right to fight against terrorism

Turkey's US Ambassador Serdar Kılıç called the move a "shame" and urged Menendez to consider US support for the Kurdish People's Defense Units (YPG).

"What about your actions senator? Supporting a terrorist organization with the pretext of fighting another, calling it an ally, turning a blind eye to the miseries it inflicts on the Syrian people, trying to deprive a NATO ally of its right to fight against terrorism. Shame," Kılıç tweeted.

Senators Rand Paul, Ted Cruz, Ron Johnson and Tom Udall voted against the bill.

The bill seeks to impose government officials, foreign persons providing arms to Turkey's military forces in Syria and financial institutions that facilitate transactions for Turkish Armed Forces, as well as the imposition of 2017 Countering America's Adversaries Through Sanctions Act, or CAATSA.

In October, a bipartisan bill was also passed 403-16 seeking to impose sanctions on Turkey for its Syria operation.

On October 9, Turkey launched the "Operation Peace Spring" with the aim of removing the YPG from northern Syria and establishing a "safe zone" to repatriate millions of Syrian refugees. 

Turkey reached agreements with the US and Russia on October 17 and October 22 respectively, ceasing its operation in exchange for the withdrawal of the YPG from the planned "safe zone." (EKN/VK)