Syria's Chemical Weapons Dismantling Plans Critically Impact US Sanctions

Following the fall of Bashar Assad in December 2024, inspectors from the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) believe that over 100 chemical weapons-related sites remain unaccounted for in Syria, raising concerns about the potential dangers of unsecured stockpiles. This estimate, which exceeds the 27 chemical sites previously disclosed by Assad's regime, suggests ongoing risks from past cover-ups and the need for international oversight to dismantle the remnants of the chemical weapons program. The OPCW's assessment is informed by intelligence from various sources, indicating that some sites may be hidden in remote locations, complicating efforts to locate them. The new Syrian government, under Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani, has expressed intentions to comply with international law and destroy any remnants of the chemical program, allowing OPCW inspections to commence. Despite these assurances, there are lingering doubts about the regime's transparency and the true extent of its chemical weapons capabilities, which included the use of sarin and chlorine gas against civilians during the civil war. The situation highlights the critical need for international cooperation in addressing the aftermath of the Assad regime's chemical warfare.