The European Union has imposed asset freezes and visa bans on ten Syrians, accusing them of recruiting mercenaries to fight for Russia in its invasion of Ukraine.
According to the EU, the names of the Syrians – along with two private security firms – were added to the existing body’s sanctions list and published in the 27-member bloc’s official journal.
Leading businessman Issam Shammout, the owner of the Cham Wings airline, who is reputedly a close ally of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is among those on the blacklist.
Also, Saleh al-Abdullah an army colonel is accused of recruiting soldiers from his 16th Brigade, which operated with Russian forces in Syria, to fight in Ukraine.
Another key person on the blacklist, Muhammad al-Salti, the commander of the Palestine Liberation Army, a Syrian government-backed force, was said to be “engaged in the recruitment of Palestinians to fight in Ukraine alongside Russia.”
The two private security companies hit with the sanctions are Sanad Protection and Security Services and the al-Sayyad Company for Guarding and Protection Services, nicknamed the “ISIS Hunters”.
According to the EU, Sanad is supervised by the Russian mercenary firm Wagner and protects Russian business interests in Syria, including oil, gas and phosphate extraction.
On the other hand, al-Sayyad Company which is also linked to Wagner, is accused of being “active in the recruitment of Syrian mercenaries to Libya and Ukraine.”
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