Chemical weapons in Syria: Remnants of Assad-era chemical weapons program found in Syria, 18 suspects detained

Syria’s transitional leadership has discovered remnants of former President Bashar Assad’s secret chemical weapons program, including raw materials and munitions similar to those used in deadly poison gas attacks during the country’s civil war.Reuters quoted Mohammed Kattoub, Syria’s permanent representative to the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, as saying that authorities had also detained 18 suspects allegedly related to the program.Detainees reportedly include senior military, political and technical officials linked to the Assad-era chemical weapons network.The disclosure marks one of the clearest signs yet that remnants of Syria’s chemical arsenal may remain after the fall of Assad’s government and the country’s ongoing political transition.

Concerns about remaining inventory

The issue of Syria’s chemical weapons stockpile has been closely watched by the international community since Damascus joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in 2013 amid accusations that the Assad government used chemical agents during the civil war.Since Assad was overthrown, international experts and the OPCW have stepped up monitoring efforts amid concerns that chemical materials could be lost, hidden or damaged during military strikes and political unrest, according to the Arms Control Association.OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias earlier warned that airstrikes targeting Syrian military installations after Assad’s fall could pose a “risk of contamination” and could destroy evidence related to chemical weapons investigations.The United States has also expressed concern about the fate of Syria’s remaining chemical stockpiles after Assad fled the country.Former US deputy national security adviser John Feiner said Washington is prioritizing coordination with the OPCW and regional partners to find, protect and destroy any remaining chemical weapons materials.

Longstanding accusations against Assad’s government

For more than a decade, the OPCW has repeatedly accused Syria of failing to fully disclose details of its chemical weapons program.International investigators have pointed to “gaps, inconsistencies and discrepancies” in Syria’s declarations about its stockpiles and chemical activities.The OPCW earlier concluded there were “reasonable grounds” to believe the Syrian military used chemical weapons in the 2018 Douma attack.Several other chemical attacks were reported during the Syrian civil war from 2013 to 2024, but responsibility in some cases remains disputed.Kattoub’s comments now suggest that Syria’s transitional authorities are seeking to uncover and dismantle remnants of the former regime’s chemical weapons infrastructure while taking legal action against officials suspected of being involved in the program.