The Caesar Act, passed as part of an annual defense spending bill, contains the most severe sanctions on the government since the Syrian civil war began nine years ago, Al-Jazeera reported.
In a statement announcing the designations imposed under the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act - signed by President Donald Trump in December - US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said 'many more' sanctions should be expected in the coming weeks and months.
He claimed that the 39 designated individuals and companies have played a key role in obstructing a peaceful political solution to the conflict and singled out Asma Al-Assad.
The new round of sanctions are imposed by the US while Iran and Russia have announced that they will continue cooperation with Syria despite the sanctions.
MNA/PR