The U.S. Treasury imposed sanctions Tuesday on leaders of the jihadist al-Nusra Front in Syria, hours after the State Department moved to blacklist the rebel group as a foreign terror organization linked to al Qaeda in Iraq. The Treasury also sanctioned two armed militia groups that operate under the control of the Syrian government, Jaysh al-Sha'bi and Shabiha, it said. Syrian opposition groups have voiced their opposition to the U.S. move against the rebel fighters, suggesting that they are being targeted because they oppose a new anti-government coalition. The move came the same day President Barack Obama recognized the leading Syrian opposition coalition as the legitimate representative of the country's people.
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President Barack Obama recognizes a Syrian opposition coalition
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Syrian state news reports no attack in Aqrab, a village in Hama
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The United States designates the al-Nusra Front as a foreign terrorist organization
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The U.S. Treasury also imposes sanctions on two pro-government militia groups
Syria
Its statement said the Shabiha have "operated as a direct action arm of the government of @placeholder and its security services," working alongside its intelligence services, and have been "complicit in the commission of human rights abuses in Syria, including those related to repression."
Syria
Its statement said the Shabiha have "operated as a direct action arm of the government of Syria and its security services," working alongside its intelligence services, and have been "complicit in the commission of human rights abuses in @placeholder, including those related to repression."
Syria
Syrian state-run media said Monday that the United States has falsely accused @placeholder of considering the use of chemical weapons.