On February 8, 2025, the OPCW delegation visited Syria to discuss chemical weapons with new leaders under President Ahmed al-Sharaa. This marks the first significant meeting since the fall of Bashar Assad. The discussions included Syria’s obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and the need for collaboration to eliminate hazardous chemical remnants.
A delegation from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) visited Damascus on February 8, 2025, marking their first engagement with Syria’s new leadership following the ousting of former President Bashar Assad. The OPCW has a history of documenting instances of chemical weapons use by Assad’s regime during the lengthy Syrian civil war, which has spanned nearly 14 years. Although Assad’s government joined OPCW in 2013 to prevent military retaliation, they consistently denied utilizing chemical weapons in combat.
During the recent talks, the OPCW delegation met with President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan al-Shibani, including technical experts seeking collaborative dialogue with Syrian officials. Previously, the Qatari embassy in The Hague has facilitated communication between the OPCW and Syria’s new regime since the change in governance. This meeting signifies a potential shift towards re-establishing operational relationships that had stalled for over a decade.
Fernando Arias, the OPCW Director-General, characterized the discussions as “long, productive, and very open,” representative of a significant initial effort to reconnect with Syria regarding their obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The focus of the talks included the necessary assistance the OPCW can provide to eliminate remnants of chemical weapon facilities left by the previous regime.
The discussions were further prompted by urgent concerns regarding Syria’s stockpiles of hazardous chemicals and how recent Israeli airstrikes on Syrian military sites might have compromised evidence or led to contamination issues. All member states of the OPCW are obliged to declare and dismantle their chemical weapons programs, an ongoing challenge in Syria since the conflict began.
Originally, the OPCW made strides in cataloging Syria’s arsenal of toxic agents, like sarin and chlorine. However, the deteriorating relationship with the Assad government led to significant obstructions against inspections. The February 8 visit is their first since 2022, highlighting the return to direct engagements with the country’s current authorities.
The OPCW is an international body formed under the Chemical Weapons Convention to promote the elimination of chemical weapons globally. Syria’s accession to the OPCW in 2013 aimed to avert military intervention during a chemical attack incident in the country. Previous inspections focused on Syria’s chemical compliance before deteriorating relations with the previous administration hindered further assessments.
The OPCW’s visit to Syria represents a potential thaw in relations following years of stagnation due to disagreements with Assad’s government. With the new leadership, the focus is on ensuring compliance with international chemical weapons protocols and addressing significant safety and contamination concerns stemming from previous conflicts. These engagements could pave the way for meaningful cooperation in dismantling remaining chemical weapon stockpiles in Syria, essential for regional stability.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
