The United States is threatening Syria with the return of sanctions if it expands its operation against the Kurdish "Syrian Democratic Forces" (SDF), the Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed American officials.
"The US government has threatened to reimpose Caesar Act sanctions against the Syrian government if Damascus launches a larger offensive," the statement said.
The US administration is said to be concerned that the new Syrian army offensive against Kurdish forces could escalate into a larger campaign "against US-backed militias, which threatens to destabilize Syria and further divide two of the United States' most important security partners in the fight against the Islamic State."
Earlier, the Syrian Ministry of Defense announced the cessation of attacks on Kurdish positions in the Deir Hafer area, taking into account the decision of the SDF to withdraw its forces from the western bank of the Euphrates River in Aleppo province.
