Syria finds remnants of Assad-era chemical weapons programme, 18 suspects held

Syria’s transitional leadership has located remnants of former president Bashar al-Assad’s clandestine chemical weapons programme, including raw materials and munitions similar to those used in deadly gas attacks during the country’s civil war.Mohamad Katoub, Syria’s permanent representative to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, was quoted by Reuters as saying on Tuesday that authorities had also detained 18 suspects allegedly linked to the programme.The detainees reportedly include senior military, political and technical officials associated with the Assad-era chemical weapons network.The disclosure marks one of the clearest indications yet that remnants of Syria’s chemical arsenal may still exist following the collapse of the Assad government and the country’s ongoing political transition.

Concerns over remaining stockpiles

The issue of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile has remained under international scrutiny since Damascus joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013 after allegations that the Assad government used chemical agents during the civil war.According to the Arms Control Association, international experts and the OPCW had intensified monitoring efforts since Assad’s overthrow amid fears that chemical materials could have been lost, hidden or damaged during military strikes and political upheaval.

OPCW director-general Fernando Arias had earlier warned that airstrikes targeting Syrian military facilities after Assad’s fall could create “a risk of contamination” and possibly destroy evidence linked to chemical weapons investigations.The United States had also expressed concern over the fate of Syria’s remaining chemical stockpiles after Assad fled the country.Former US deputy national security advisor John Finer said Washington was prioritising efforts to locate, secure and destroy any remaining chemical weapons materials in coordination with the OPCW and regional partners.

Longstanding allegations against Assad government

For more than a decade, the OPCW repeatedly accused Syria of failing to fully disclose details of its chemical weapons programme.International investigators had cited “gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies” in Syria’s declarations regarding its stockpile and chemical activities.The OPCW had earlier concluded there were “reasonable grounds” to believe the Syrian military used chemical weapons in the 2018 Douma attack.Several other alleged chemical attacks were reported during the 2013-2024 Syrian civil war, though responsibility in some cases remained disputed.Katoub’s remarks now suggest the transitional Syrian authorities are attempting to uncover and dismantle what remains of the former regime’s chemical weapons infrastructure, while also pursuing legal action against officials allegedly involved in the programme.