Syria’s Chemical Weapons: Unresolved Threat Looms

Clear Facts

• The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is closely monitoring Syria’s chemical weapons situation, expressing concerns about unaccounted stockpiles.
• UN official Izumi Nakamitsu stated that Syria’s destruction of chemical weapons cannot be verified, describing the situation as “extremely worrying.”
• There are fears that Assad’s chemical weapons could fall into the hands of terrorist groups, posing a significant risk to regional and global security.

The fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime after over a decade of civil war has left Syria at a critical juncture. While many celebrate the end of his family’s long rule, the fate of Syria’s chemical weapons remains a pressing concern.

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has emphasized the importance of monitoring the situation, particularly the status of these weapons.

Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN’s high representative for Disarmament Affairs, highlighted the gravity of the situation.

“I reiterate that this is extremely worrying,” she stated, underscoring the uncertainty surrounding Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile.

Despite Syria’s 2013 agreement to join the Chemical Weapons Convention and destroy over 1,300 tons of chemical warfare material, doubts linger about the completeness of their declaration.

The OPCW has voiced serious concerns about “the fate of significant amounts of chemical weapons” that remain unaccounted for.

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has pledged support for international efforts to hold the Assad regime accountable for its use of chemical weapons.

The lack of clarity regarding the remaining chemical weapons raises fears about their potential misuse, especially if they fall into the hands of terrorist groups like ISIS.

The rebel group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), which played a role in Assad’s overthrow, has made assurances about securing the chemical sites.

However, given HTS’s past affiliations with al Qaeda, skepticism persists about their reliability.

Experts are advocating for decisive action to prevent these weapons from becoming a global threat.

Andrea Stricker from the Foundation for the Defense of Democracies emphasized the urgency, stating, “Israel and the United States must immediately destroy any known, remaining Syrian chemical weapons capabilities.”

Israel has already taken steps by conducting strikes on suspected chemical weapons sites. Meanwhile, the U.S. has targeted ISIS operatives but has not yet focused on Assad’s chemical weapons facilities.

The OPCW’s investigations have confirmed that Assad’s regime used chemical weapons multiple times during the civil war, with one of the most notorious attacks occurring in Ghouta in 2013.

The use of such weapons, including sarin and chlorine, has been condemned as a crime against humanity.

As the international community grapples with the consequences of Assad’s downfall, the security of Syria’s chemical weapons remains a critical issue that demands immediate attention.

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