Sanctions imposed on Asma al-Assad.

Asma al-Assad, the British-born wife of Syrian President Bashar, will be hit with a travel ban and have her assets in the EU frozen today, The Telegraph reported.

The four women closest to President Assad are to be added to the European Union's sanctions list at a meeting of Europe's foreign ministers today.

The Syrian leader's wife, mother, sister and sister-in-law will be added to the travel ban and asset freeze blacklist as the EU steps pressure on Assad's inner circle and family.

The inclusion of Asma al-Assad follows the leak of emails detailing her shopping sprees earlier this week.

EU and British officials have faith that the move will add to the "stranglehold" on the regime, though it has survived 11 previous rounds of sanctions.

Like others already listed, Mrs Assad is likely to be subject to an EU travel ban, though this would not prevent her travelling to Britain, if she has retained her British citizenship.

Born and raised in Acton, west London, she married Mr Assad in late 2000, the year he was installed as president following the death of his father, Hafez.

Her role in the president's inner circle has come under increased scrutiny after emails written by Syria's first couple were leaked by opposition activists.

The foreign ministers of European countries are applying apply sanctions against Syria to end the bloodshed and establish peace in the region. However, clashes are continuing in Syria. Earlier today, the government troops launched an assault eon the town of Binesh near the border with Turkey.

The shelling started late in the evening with tanks deployed in the northwestern city of Idlib opening fire, triggering panic among residents who had been bracing for the attack. Thousands of people began fleeing towards the nearby towns of Taftanaz, Al-Maara and Sardana, with shells hitting many houses on outskirts of Binesh.