Syria Vows to Eliminate Remaining Chemical Weapons and Seeks International Help

Syria's Foreign Minister, Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, made a significant pledge on Wednesday, vowing to swiftly rid the country of the remaining chemical weapons following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Speaking at closed-door meetings at the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in The Hague, al-Shibani became the first Syrian foreign minister to address the disarmament agency directly. His remarks came as part of Syria's ongoing efforts to comply with international norms and fulfill its legal obligations regarding chemical weapon disarmament.

Syria joined the OPCW under a US-Russian deal after a deadly sarin gas attack in 2013 that killed hundreds of people. Following this, Syria destroyed 1,300 metric tons of chemical weapons and precursors. Despite this progress, three investigations by the UN-OPCW joint mechanism, OPCW's Investigation and Identification team, and a United Nations war crimes probe have concluded that Syrian government forces, under Assad's regime, used sarin and chlorine barrel bombs in attacks during the civil war, which killed or injured thousands.

Syria's Commitment to Resolve Chemical Weapons Legacy

Al-Shibani addressed delegates, stating that Syria was prepared to solve this longstanding issue, a problem inherited from a previous regime. He acknowledged Syria’s legal obligations regarding breaches of international law but emphasized the government’s commitment to dismantling whatever chemical weapons remained in the country.

“We are ready to put an end to this painful legacy and ensure Syria becomes a nation aligned with international norms,” al-Shibani said. He also appealed to the international community for assistance, stressing that Syria needed technical, logistical, and expert support to dismantle the remaining chemical weapons.

OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias described Syria's political shift as "a new and historic opportunity" to clarify the full extent of the country’s chemical weapons program. He emphasized the importance of obtaining clear information on the matter to ensure full disarmament and compliance with international agreements.

Al-Shibani noted that while Syria had already begun planning the disarmament process, the cooperation of the international community would be crucial. The country would require extensive assistance in the form of resources, expertise, and on-the-ground technical help to succeed in eliminating the remnants of its chemical weapons stockpile.

Challenges and International Cooperation

Syria's declared chemical weapons stockpile has long been suspected of underreporting the full extent of the arsenal. OPCW inspectors have highlighted that Syria’s actual stockpiles have not matched the figures declared by the Syrian government. To this end, OPCW inspectors are now seeking access to approximately 100 sites linked to Syria’s chemical weapons program.

Al-Shibani acknowledged the challenge Syria faces in dismantling its chemical weapons stockpile but emphasized the necessity of doing so thoroughly and quickly. He reiterated that Syria could not succeed in this task alone and required the help and expertise of the international community.