Is Syria Planning to Destroy All Remaining Assad-Era Chemical Weapons?
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RDA Gulf Correspondent - . March 6, 2025
- . Update: March 6, 2025 4:58 pm
Syria’s new government has promised to destroy any remaining elements of chemical weapons that were produced under former President Bashar al-Assad. Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani told the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) that Syria aims to “end this painful legacy and ensure compliance with international law.”
He stressed that international support in terms of both technical and logistical assistance will be of utmost importance to fully eliminate Syria’s chemical weapons program. This was a historic opportunity, according to OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias to do away with Syria’s chemical weapon system forever. A team of experts will go on an assessment visit to unearth and establish remaining stockpiles.
Now, although Damascus signed the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013, questions have remained over whether its declarations were complete. The Assad regime has been accused of several chemical attacks during the civil war. The global community stays cautiously optimistic, reiterating that transparency and accountability are critical in assuring that Syria follows up on its commitment.
