U.S. threatens to impose more sanctions on Ethiopian leaders over conflict in Tigray region

[Carley Shaffer]

A member of the Amhara militia stands with his gun during a graduation ceremony of Recruits for reserves of Amhara regional forces, in the city of Dessie, Ethiopia, on August 24, 2021. (Photo by EDUARDO SOTERAS/AFP via Getty Images)

OAN Newsroom
UPDATED 12:44 PM PT – Sunday, September 19, 2021​

The U.S. has paved the way for further sanctions on Ethiopian officials amid the situation in the war-torn Tigray region. Joe Biden issued an executive order on Friday, allowing for more sanctions on those the administration deems responsible for the conflict in the region. This includes Ethiopian Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed and other leaders involved in the conflict.

The new order reportedly comes in response to the ongoing violence and ensuing famine impacting thousands in the region. Additionally, reports have emerged of Ethiopian forces preventing humanitarian aid from reaching civilians in Tigray.

The Ethiopia-related sanctions regime announced by @POTUS demonstrates our willingness to impose costs on those perpetuating the conflict, which is causing great harm to the people of Ethiopia.

— Secretary Antony Blinken (@SecBlinken) September 17, 2021

Meanwhile, Biden administration officials have estimated less than 10 percent of aid has reached the area over the last month. Officials have expressed hope that the executive order will bring change. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a statement the executive order “underscores our resolve to use every appropriate tool at our disposal to bring relief to the long-suffering people of the region.”

MORE NEWS: Lance Cpl. Kareem Nikoui, Cpl. Hunter Lopez, Sgt. Nicole Gee Remembered For Heroism And Sacrifice In Calif.​

Continue reading...