Syria is proceeding with the destruction of chemical weapons materials left over from the administration of former President Bashar al-Assad, according to statements made by Syrian officials and representatives of the United Nations at a Security Council meeting earlier this week.
UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi Nakamitsu reported that the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons had verified the destruction of chemical munitions in Syria, marking the first such verification since 2014. Syria’s current leadership discovered the remnants of the chemical program in May, which included production facilities, a previously unknown chemical used in nerve agent manufacturing, and unfilled munitions. Two storage facilities were subsequently declared to house these discovered materials.
Last month, the OPCW sent inspectors to Syria to oversee the destruction of unfilled munitions and related equipment. The team confirmed the irreversible destruction of 42 aerial bombs during their verification mission. Syria’s UN envoy Ibrahim Olabi characterized the operation as the first destruction of chemical materials on Syrian soil in over a decade and stressed its importance for regional security.
Olabi also raised concerns about interruptions to the search-and-destruction operations, attributing them to Israeli military actions that he said exposed Syrian personnel to danger. He characterized these operations as breaching international agreements and undermining regional safety efforts.
Separately, Syrian authorities have apprehended 18 individuals suspected of involvement in the chemical weapons program, including senior military, government, and technical personnel. Olabi indicated that court proceedings against these suspects are being prepared.
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