Syria’s chemical weapons program has been a concern for years due to its history of use and alleged concealment by President Bashar al-Assad’s regime. While experts believe that some stocks have been depleted, it remains uncertain how much is left.
Under international pressure, Mr. Assad agreed to eliminate his country’s chemical weapons program in 2013, following a sarin gas attack on civilians in Ghouta that killed over 1,400 people. An international monitoring body, the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), dismantled and destroyed most of Syria’s declared stockpiles.
However, suspicions remain that some facilities were concealed from inspectors, leading to subsequent attacks that killed dozens of civilians. The OPCW has since been keeping a close eye on potential security threats, particularly with the new government in place.
While it is unlikely that chemical weapons could be easily used by rogue actors, concerns persist that they might fall into extremist hands. Independent consultant Ralf Trapp believes that what remains of the arsenal is limited due to Mr. al-Assad’s cautious deployment and relatively few uses after 2014.
To prevent misuse, the OPCW will try to work with the new leadership once a stable government is established. The organization has been closely monitoring recent developments in Syria to ensure the security and integrity of all declared chemical weapons sites.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/world/middleeast/syria-chemical-weapons-arsenal.html