Following the Syrian dictator’s regime collapse after a protracted civil war and decades of family rule, concerns remain regarding the fate of his substantial chemical weapons stockpile. While many celebrated the dictator’s downfall, apprehension exists internationally about the potential consequences. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) is closely monitoring the situation, focusing on the status of these weapons.
The UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, Izumi Nakamitsu, stated on Sunday that the reported destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons remains unverified, describing the situation as “extremely worrying.”
Secretary of State Antony Blinken affirmed the U.S.’s commitment to supporting international efforts to hold the Assad regime and its supporters accountable for atrocities, including chemical weapons use.
The exact quantity of chemical weapons remaining under Assad’s control before his regime’s fall and escape to Moscow is unknown. Syria joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013, agreeing to destroy over 1,300 tons of chemical warfare materials in 2014.
However, the OPCW highlights significant concerns about the completeness of Syria’s initial declaration and the unaccounted-for fate of substantial chemical weapon quantities. U.S. Ambassador to the OPCW, Nicole Shampaine, warned of the proliferation risk posed by these undeclared weapons.
Assad wasn’t the only perpetrator; a joint UN and OPCW investigation confirmed ISIS’s use of chlorine and sulfur mustard gas in 2015 and 2016. Fear exists regarding the location of Assad’s hidden weapons and the potential for them to fall into the wrong hands, such as terrorist groups like ISIS.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group instrumental in Assad’s overthrow, stated its intention to secure these sites and cooperate internationally. However, concerns remain due to HTS’s past affiliation with al-Qaeda and its designation as a terrorist group by the U.S. State Department.
Some experts advocate for joint U.S.-Israeli action to destroy remaining chemical weapons, citing the risk of global terrorist attacks if these weapons fall into the wrong hands.
Israel has reportedly already conducted operations targeting some of Assad’s suspected chemical weapons sites, although the U.S. has not yet targeted Assad regime’s chemical weapons sites despite conducting numerous air strikes against ISIS targets.
HTS acknowledged the Assad regime’s use of chemical weapons, citing the 2013 Ghouta attack as an example of a crime against humanity. The OPCW concluded that the Assad regime “definitely or likely” used chemical weapons in at least 17 instances during the civil war, employing nerve agents, choking agents, and blister agents.
The U.S. conducted military strikes against Syrian chemical weapons facilities in 2017 and 2018.