Syria begins destroying al-Assad-era chemical weapons materials

Syrian authorities undertake ⁠first such destruction in over a decade as former government officials face trial.Published On 3 Sep 20263 Sep 2026Syria has begun ‌destroying the remnants of a clandestine chemical weapons programme created under former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, Syrian and United Nations officials have said.This includes raw materials and munitions similar to those used in deadly gas attacks during the country’s civil war, diplomats said at the United Nations Security Council on Thursday.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemslist 1 of 3Qatar says efforts under way to end Iran-US war and reopen Strait of Hormuzlist 2 of 3Israel’s multiple wars see finance, defence ministries clash over spendinglist 3 of 3IAEA says Syria built a nuclear reactor in Deir Az Zor under al-Assadend of listUN High Representative for Disarmament Affairs Izumi ⁠Nakamitsu told a UN Security Council briefing that for the first time since 2014, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) had verified the destruction of chemical munitions in Syria.Syria’s new leadership had located ⁠remnants of al-Assad’s chemical weapons programme in May. Following the finding, Syria had ‌...