BRUSSELS (AP) — The European Union is announcing sanctions against the elite unit of Iran's Revolutionary Guard, saying the Quds Force is providing equipment and support to help Syrian President Bashar Assad crush his country's 5-month-old uprising.

The sanctions increase international pressure against Syria to target its ally Iran, which the U.S. and others accuse of aiding the government crackdown.

The announcement Wednesday in the EU's official journal said "(The Quds Force) has provided technical assistance, equipment and support to the Syrian security services to repress civilian protest movements."

The EU's blacklist against Syria now contains 50 people and nine entities who face asset freezes and travel bans. Human rights groups say Assad's forces have killed more than 2,000 people.