Over 100 chemical weapons sites in Syria, OPCW warns

The New York Times reports that more than 100 suspected chemical weapons sites remain in Syria, though the exact number is as yet unclear. The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has provided estimates that are believed to be linked to the former regime of Bashar al-Assad. The OPCW has stated that the facilities in question were utilised for the development and research of chemical agents during the years of dictatorship. It should be noted that Assad’s import of precursor chemical agents needed to build weapons of mass destruction was documented at least until 2018. The OPCW’s estimates, which are based on analyses by external researchers, non-profit groups, and information shared by its member countries, are thought to concern undeclared stockpiles that include sarin gas, chlorine, and mustard gas, already used on several occasions during the Syrian civil war. The sites are likely to be hidden in caves or in areas that are difficult to locate, increasing the likelihood that they are unsecured and could be seized by militants or terrorists for illicit use. In response, the Syrian authorities have taken steps to eliminate all traces of the chemical weapons programme developed by the Assad regime in compliance with international law. They have authorised an OPCW team to enter the country to document the warehouses where the weapons are allegedly stored. According to experts, recent Israeli raids on the affected Syrian regions have the potential to have resulted in environmental contamination.