The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) announced on Tuesday that dozens of undeclared chemical weapons have been discovered in Syria, according to its monthly report on activities in the country.
Discovery of Undeclared Munitions
An OPCW team was deployed earlier this month to verify the accuracy and completeness of Syria's declaration regarding its chemical weapons stockpiles. The inspections targeted several high-priority undeclared locations in the northern coastal and central regions, with cooperation from Syrian authorities.
The report stated: "Dozens of undeclared chemical munitions such as aerial bombs and rockets, as well as separately found chemicals and related equipment... have been found at several of these undeclared locations, together with thousands of pages of documentation."
Syria's Obligations Under OPCW
Syria joined the OPCW in 2013 and agreed to disclose and destroy its stockpiles of toxic agents under pressure from Russia and the United States to avoid airstrikes by Washington and its allies. However, the OPCW believes that Syria's initial declaration was incomplete and that additional weapons remain unaccounted for.
The chemicals and equipment discovered are currently undergoing analysis, and the search continues. The OPCW noted that further details on the deployment's outcome will be provided in due course.
Concerns Over Post-Assad Stockpiles
Former Syrian President Bashar Assad was repeatedly accused of using chemical weapons during the 13-year civil war. Following his removal from power in 2024, the fate of Syria's chemical stockpiles has become a serious concern. The foreign ministry of the new government in Damascus pledged last year to dismantle all traces of Assad's chemical weapons program.
