Syria Begins Destroying Assad Regime's Secret Chemical Weapons Stocks

Syria has begun destroying hidden chemical weapons stocks left by Bashar al-Assad's regime, according to the country's permanent representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Olabi. He announced the start of the process during a U.N. Security Council session on developments in the Middle East.

Olabi said the work is proceeding under verification procedures established by the Technical Secretariat of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. He described it as the first destruction operation since Syria was freed from the Assad regime and the first effort to destroy chemical munitions on Syrian territory in more than a decade.

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This is a state at the center of conflicts that has chosen, of its own will, to take responsibility and return to the international community.

For years, the chemical weapons file had threatened the Syrian people and the wider world, Olabi said. He argued that determination and genuine international cooperation could turn it into a model of practical success. He also said Syria's position on accountability was clear and non-negotiable, with international partnerships intended to strengthen its national justice process.

“This is a state at the center of conflicts that has chosen, of its own will, to take responsibility and return to the international community,” Olabi said. He added that Syria wanted to protect its people and the region from these weapons falling into the wrong hands, and to help establish lasting efforts against impunity.

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Our aim is to protect the Syrian people and the region from these weapons falling into the wrong hands.

Olabi said repeated Israeli attacks on Syrian territory had directly disrupted searches for and destruction of chemical materials. At times, he said, field flights and operations had stopped completely, while Syrian technical teams and OPCW delegations faced direct danger. “While Israel threatens our security and violates international law, we cannot fully ensure either our own security or regional security,” he said.

Turkey's U.N. representative, Ahmet Yıldız, called Syria's chemical weapons file one of the darkest legacies of the Assad regime. He said the constructive cooperation shown by Syria's new administration with the international community offered hope for the future.

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While Israel threatens our security and violates international law, we cannot fully ensure either our own security or regional security.