US slaps sanctions on Turkey after Syria invasion

The United States on Monday responded to the Turkish invasion of Northern Syria by imposing sanctions on Ankara's ministries and government officials.

US Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin announced measures against Turkey's defence and energy ministries, as well as the minister of national defence, minister of energy and natural resources, and the minister of the interior.

A statement from the US Treasury said: "The designation of these ministries and officials is a result of the Turkish Government’s actions that further deteriorate peace, security, and stability of the region. We are prepared to impose additional sanctions on Government of Turkey officials and entities, as necessary."

Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said he will double tariffs on Turkish steel from 25% to 50% and cease negotiations for a $100bn trade deal.

The Turkish lira was down 0.8% against the US dollar at 5.8815 following the news.

Vice President Mike Pence, who will reportedly travel to the region in the near future, said President Trump had also demanded a ceasefire in a phone call with Turkish counterpart Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The Turkish government claim the objective of the offensive is to create a "safe zone" where some of its two million Syrian refugees can be settled.

However, the Turkish plan involves driving off Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) from the region.

The SDF collaborated with the US military in the fight against Islamic State militants in the region before President Trump suddenly ordered American troops to leave the area last week.

Critics characterise Trump's abrupt troop withdrawal as a betrayal of US allies that effectively gave Erdogan's regime a free pass to invade Northern Syria, with Senate majority leader Mitch McConnell stating that the decision could be a "strategic calamity" with a "catastrophic outcome" for American interests in Middle East.