Syria reports significant progress on chemical weapons file one year after liberation

Syria stands at a pivotal moment, one year after liberation from the era during which chemical weapons were widely used, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Mohammad Katoub, said on Wednesday.

Speaking at the 30th Conference of the States Parties to the OPCW in The Hague, Katoub highlighted Syria’s significant progress in gathering information and assessing suspected chemical weapons sites despite ongoing challenges. He affirmed that Damascus remains committed to fulfilling its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention, guided by national responsibility and a belief in international cooperation.

Katoub described the current phase as a historic transformation in Syria’s chemical weapons file, contrasting the widespread attacks during the deposed Assad era with today’s efforts to document, secure, and eventually destroy any remaining stockpiles. He noted that chemical strikes continued until the final days before Assad’s fall, with the last recorded attack on December 5, 2024, following over 200 attacks since late 2012.

The OPCW representative stressed that the post-liberation phase faces a complex legacy, including the challenge of identifying the chemical program’s storage and production sites, which had been shrouded in secrecy. He also cited the security risks confronting national teams and international inspectors operating in war-affected areas with remnants of mines and the ongoing threat of Israeli strikes.

Despite these obstacles, Katoub reported tangible achievements, including the facilitation of 23 site visits and the preliminary assessment of 15 suspected locations, alongside the development of a national database to identify additional sites in preparation for eventual destruction.

Katoub emphasized that Syria’s chemical weapons agenda extends beyond destruction to accountability, with inspection and verification processes designed to preserve evidence. He noted that destruction operations remain paused due to the limited capacities of national teams but reiterated that Syria views the OPCW as a platform for constructive international cooperation.

The representative concluded by noting that national teams are receiving all possible facilitation across Syria and that Syrians are united in rejecting the use of chemical weapons in any form. Earlier in the day, Katoub stressed Syria’s desire to restore its rights within the OPCW while ensuring cooperation in eliminating residual chemical weapons and prioritizing the interests of victims and survivors.

Last Thursday, Syria reactivated its permanent mission to the OPCW in The Hague, appointing Mohammad Katoub as the country’s permanent representative.