Syria Vows to Rid Itself of Assad's Chemical Weapons Legacy

Syria, under the leadership of the rebel coalition Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has pledged to rid the country of its chemical weapons legacy, a commitment that could have significant financial and security implications. The new authorities have expressed readiness to collaborate with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to dismantle any remaining stockpiles, signaling a potential shift in the country's approach to chemical weapons.

The Assad regime's use of chemical weapons during the Syrian Civil War has been well-documented, with more than 300 attacks reported since 2012. The most infamous incident occurred in August 2013, when the regime launched a sarin gas attack on the rebel-held suburb of Ghouta, killing hundreds of civilians. This atrocity led to international pressure and ultimately resulted in Syria's accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC) in October 2013.



Despite joining the CWC, Syria continued to use chemical weapons, primarily chlorine, in a smaller scale. The OPCW has attributed the majority of these attacks to the Assad regime, while some were attributed to the Islamic State. In response to these continued attacks, the United States launched a unilateral strike in 2017, and a multilateral response involving the US, UK, and France targeted chemical facilities in 2018.

The fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 has raised concerns about the fate of Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles. HTS, the rebel group leading the coalition now in charge in Damascus, has issued a statement reaffirming its commitment to preventing the use or storage of chemical weapons in territories under its control. The group has also expressed readiness to collaborate with the OPCW to dismantle remaining stockpiles.

The international community has been cautious in its response to HTS's call for help in dismantling the regime's chemical weapons program. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) remains vigilant and emphasizes the importance of monitoring chemical weapons-related sites and ensuring compliance with the CWC. However, the chaotic security environment in Syria and Israel's strikes on Syrian military sites have complicated the OPCW's mission.

Several challenges remain in dismantling Syria's chemical weapons capabilities, including lack of access, destruction of evidence, incomplete declarations, dual-use chemicals, and lack of international cooperation. Addressing these challenges will require a more concerted and coordinated effort from the international community.

In conclusion, Syria's commitment to ridding itself of Assad's chemical weapons legacy is a positive development that could have significant financial and security implications. However, the international community must remain vigilant and work together to address the challenges that lie ahead in ensuring the complete dismantling of Syria's chemical weapons capabilities.