President Ahmed al-Sharaa announced the commencement of the destruction of chemical weapons stockpiles in Syria, affirming before the United Nations General Assembly in New York that Damascus, together with seven other countries, launched the "Breaths of Freedom" team to close the chemical legacy that has burdened the country’s name for a full decade. Al-Sharaa confirmed the destruction of 42 chemical bombs and the restoration of Syria’s full rights within the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), stressing that collective action is a trust.
In the same context, Syria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Al-Ali, pointed out that the destruction process, which began on September 3, represents a historic moment, as it is the first since liberation and the first to destroy chemical weapons stockpiles on Syrian soil since 2014. He clarified that cooperation with the organization goes beyond technical details, reflecting a profound political shift in Syria’s approach to the multilateral work system.
For his part, it was revealed that 54 air-dropped bombs similar to those used in Al-Latamine in 2017, and 25 ground-to-ground bombs similar to those used in Eastern Ghouta in 2013, were found, along with materials for manufacturing Sarin. These discoveries come within the framework of efforts by national teams that facilitated inspection team visits to 32 suspected sites, contributing to the identification of new locations and materials linked to the ousted regime’s chemical program.
Al-Ali noted that Syria has detained 18 individuals connected to the program, including high-ranking officers and former experts, in a move aimed at holding those responsible for this legacy accountable. He warned that repeated Israeli attacks have hindered search and destruction operations, stressing that continuing this path requires providing safe conditions for teams and sites to protect the population, the environment, and regional and international security.
Source: Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA)
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