Chemical Weapons in Syria: OPCW Chief Meets New Leader
The head of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is set to meet with Syria’s newly appointed leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, on Saturday. This significant visit marks the first engagement since the removal of Bashar al-Assad, who has faced numerous allegations regarding the use of chemical weapons throughout the country’s ongoing civil war, which has persisted for over 13 years.
In an announcement via an official Syrian Telegram channel, it was confirmed that President al-Sharaa, along with Foreign Minister Asaad Al-Shaibani, will receive the OPCW delegation, which is being led by Chief Fernando Arias. This meeting underscores the ongoing complexities surrounding Syria’s chemical weapons program and the international community’s efforts to address these concerns.
Syria’s Commitment to OPCW and Ongoing Concerns
Syria’s involvement with the OPCW began in 2013, shortly after a devastating chemical attack near Damascus resulted in over 1,000 fatalities. Following this incident, the Syrian government agreed to dismantle its chemical weapons stockpile. However, the OPCW has continuously raised alarms regarding the thoroughness of Syria’s declarations and whether any additional weapons remain undisclosed.
Despite these concerns, the Assad administration has categorically denied the use of chemical weapons. In a bid to investigate these allegations, the OPCW launched a fact-finding mission in 2014, which has since produced 21 reports analyzing 74 separate instances of suspected chemical weapon usage. Out of these investigations, it was concluded that chemical weapons were either used or likely employed in 20 of the reported cases.
