The global chemical weapons watchdog, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), has ramped up scrutiny over Syria's chemical arsenal following the recent upheaval as rebel forces ousted President Bashar al-Assad from Damascus. This shift has ignited fears of Syria's toxic stockpiles potentially falling under the control of extremist factions.
Based out of The Hague, the OPCW underscored its concerns over Syria's compliance with international chemical weapons treaties. A statement issued on Monday highlighted their continuous monitoring of the current situation and the status of Syria's chemical weapons-related facilities. “We are closely observing the significant developments with special attention to the locations of chemical weapons,” the OPCW announced.
Although Prime Minister Mohammed Ghazi Jalali maintains the government's operations from Damascus and asserts most ministry officials remain active within the capital, there's mounting uncertainty around the whereabouts of Syria's chemical weapons stockpile, which has allegedly been utilized against civilians.
The OPCW has reached out to the Syrian embassy to confirm compliance with the Chemical Weapons Convention but revealed the Syrian government's accounting of its chemical weapons program is still incomplete and inaccurate. “To date, this work has continued, and the Syrian declaration of its chemical weapons programme still cannot be considered as accurate and complete,” the OPCW's statement elaborated.
Evidence gathered over the course of the Syrian civil war indicates Assad’s government has repeatedly employed chemical weapons against opposition forces. Earlier this year, for example, the organization found clear indications of mustard gas being used by the Islamic State group during attacks on the town of Marea.
Reports validate earlier accusations against Assad’s regime, which took on chemical weapons inspections for 24 years, with 28 inspections underway. Many nations condemned the assaults, particularly the 2013 Ghouta incident where over 1,400 civilians were killed. While Syria had declared the destruction of around 1,300 tons of banned chemical agents after joining the OPCW, discrepancies have raised red flags about undeclared arsenals.
Recent findings by the OPCW suggest the existence of potentially undeclared production capabilities at two facilities previously recognized for chemical weapons development. Fernando Arias, OPCW’s Director-General, stated, “We urge Syria to fulfill its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, as international peace and security depend on it.”
Neighboring Israel has not only taken active measures to safeguard its security but has also conducted airstrikes on suspected chemical weapon installations to thwart any possibility of these weapons ending up with extremists. Israel's foreign minister stated, "Our primary concern is the security of Israel and its citizens. We will continue to act decisively to eliminate the threat posed by remaining chemical weapons and long-range missiles from falling to the hands of extremists.”
Meanwhile, behind closed doors, Russia has extended political asylum to Assad. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov announced the decision, yet provided little detail about Assad's current location or any meetings with Russian President Vladimir Putin. This political vacuum, unfortunately, sets the stage for uncertainty over control and future governance.
Following Assad's ousting, the rebel leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, formerly known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, emerged as the face of the insurgency. While the Syrian regime attempts to stabilize itself amid the turbulence of regime change, the dangers associated with unaccounted chemical stockpiles remain dire. Streams of refugees have begun returning from neighboring regions, hoping for stability, yet many uncertainties loom about the future.
The situation continues to evolve, and with the chaos enveloping Syria, the world's attention remains fixated on ensuring safety measures surrounding these hazardous materials are enacted decisively. Observers from around the globe watch closely, for failure to address these concerns may have catastrophic repercussions, not just within Syrian borders but across the Middle East region as well.