Syria has begun destroying remnants of the secret chemical‑weapons programme dating back to the era of former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad, discovered in May. Syria’s ambassador to the UN and a UN representative said on Thursday, September 3, that this is the first such destruction in a decade.
In May, the Reuters news agency reported that Syria’s new leadership had uncovered remnants of Assad’s chemical‑weapons programme, including raw materials and munitions similar to those used in deadly gas attacks during the civil war, which has killed more than 500,000 people.
Izumi Nakamitsu, the UN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs, told a UN Security Council meeting on Thursday that, for the first time since 2014, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has confirmed the destruction of chemical munitions in Syria.
After the initial discovery, Damascus identified another chemical‑weapons production site, a newly identified substance used to make nerve agents, and empty chemical munitions. The country also declared two storage sites where the newly found materials had been kept.
OPCW confirms destruction of 42 aerial bombs
Last month the OPCW sent a team to Syria to verify the destruction of Category 3 weapons, which include unfilled munitions and equipment for dispersing chemical agents. According to Nakamitsu, the team confirmed «the irreversible destruction of 42 aerial bombs» as part of the mission.
Syria’s ambassador to the UN, Ibrahim Olaabi, told the Security Council that his country «is protecting the world and the region through this work».
At the same time, Olaabi sharply criticised Israel, arguing that repeated attacks by Tel Aviv hinder operations to locate and destroy chemical weapons and endanger the teams involved.
«We cannot guarantee the security of the region if our own safety is threatened by attacks carried out by Tel Aviv, which disregard regional security and violate the conventions and treaties we are discussing», Olaabi said. Israeli authorities did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
Syria prepares first court hearings in Assad’s chemical programme case
The ambassador said Syria is preparing to hold the first court hearings for individuals suspected of involvement in the chemical‑weapons programme. Earlier this year, Syrian authorities arrested 18 suspects linked to Assad’s programme, including high‑ranking military and political figures.
Source: Folha de S.Paulo
