More than 100 chemical weapons depots may remain in Syria – NYT
Syria (Photo: Mohammed Al-Rifai /EPA)
The international Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) estimates that there are over 100 sites for chemical weapons storage still operational in Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime. The probable count of these facilities is significantly greater than what the dictator has ever admitted, according to The New York Times.
The organization stated that it arrived at its conclusions by utilizing information from external researchers, non-governmental organizations, and intelligence provided by its member states.
As reported, Assad has deployed weapons containing sarin, chlorine, and mustard gas against both rebels and Syrian civilians throughout the more than ten years of civil conflict.
In the initial stages of the war, Assad’s administration acknowledged the presence of 27 chemical weapons production and storage sites, which were subsequently inspected and ordered to be shut down by the OPCW. However, the dictator’s regime continued to employ chemical weapons at least until 2018, and his government procured essential precursor chemicals.
The organization suggests that some of these stockpiles may be concealed within caves or in other locations that are challenging to identify with satellite imagery, raising concerns that the chemical weapons may not be adequately secured.
Officials from the OPCW are apprehensive that pro-Assad militant groups might gain access to inadequately protected facilities for the production and storage of chemical weapons.
- On November 27, 2024, the Syrian resistance launched a significant offensive against the forces of the Assad government in the western region of Aleppo province.
- On December 8, the rebels captured Damascus and announced the collapse of the Assad regime, which had ruled for over 50 years.
- On March 23, 2025, the new Syrian government submitted a request to the Kremlin for the extradition of the ousted dictator, who had fled to Moscow and received asylum there. They intend to prosecute him for crimes against his own citizens.
