The United States Government has designated the culprit of April 16, 2013 massacre that led to 41 unharmed civilians’ death in Tadamon, a neighborhood of Damascus, Syria.
US Secretary of State, Antony Blinken who made this known in a statement released on Monday, stated that Amjad Yousef, an Assad regime military intelligence officer, murdered at least 41 unarmed civilians.
After video evidence of these murders, which were carried out coldly and methodically, was first publicly shared in 2022 after a long and comprehensive investigation by independent researchers.
The Secretary of State said United States is taking action to promote accountability for this atrocity.
While this month marks the twelfth year of conflict in Syria during which the Assad regime has committed innumerable atrocities, some of which rise to the level of war crimes and crimes against humanity.
According to him, “The Department of State is designating Amjad Yousef, a Warrant Officer in Syrian Military Intelligence Directorate.
“Pursuant to Section 7031(c) of the Department of State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Appropriations Act, 2023 due to his involvement in gross violations of human rights, namely extrajudicial killings.
“As a result of today’s action, Yousef, as well as his wife, Anan Wasouf, and their immediate family members, are ineligible for entry into the United States”, Secretary Blinken said.
He said United States seizes this opportunity to remember and honor the victims and survivors of the Tadamon Massacre and the victims of the many other mass killings the Assad regime has carried out.
“The footage of this massacre, coupled with the ongoing killing and abuse of countless Syrians, serves as a sobering reminder for why countries should not normalize relations with the Assad regime absent enduring progress towards a political resolution.
“The United States calls on the Assad regime to cease all violations and abuses of human rights, including but not limited to extrajudicial killings, arbitrary detention, enforced disappearance, and torture”, he added.
He noted US’s promise to ensure continuous support Syrian-led and international efforts to ensure there are consequences for the ongoing human rights violations and abuses committed in Syria.
“Our support for the brave Syrians who continue to risk their lives to hold the Assad regime accountable will not waver.
“And we will pursue every measure to find justice for victims and survivors of atrocities and to promote accountability for those responsible, including the Assad regime and its allies.
Accountability and justice for the crimes, violations, and abuses committed against Syrians are essential to a stable, just, and enduring peace in Syria and the region”, Blinken said.