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Chemical weapons watchdog warns of dangers of Syria strikes

On Monday, Israel said it had struck 'remaining chemical weapons or long-range missiles and rockets in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists'

Published: Thu 12 Dec 2024, 8:25 PM

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  • AFP

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Smoke billows on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus following Israeli airstrikes. Israel conducted more than 100 air strikes on military targets in Syria on December 9, including a research centre Western countries suspected of having links to chemical weapons production in Damascus, a war monitor said.AFP

Smoke billows on the outskirts of the Syrian capital Damascus following Israeli airstrikes. Israel conducted more than 100 air strikes on military targets in Syria on December 9, including a research centre Western countries suspected of having links to chemical weapons production in Damascus, a war monitor said.AFP

Strikes on Syrian chemical weapons sites risk contaminating and destroying valuable evidence, the head of the international watchdog warned on Thursday, admitting the group did not yet know whether sites have been affected.

There has been widespread global concern about the fate of Syria's stockpile of chemical weapons since the dramatic overthrow of Bashar al-Assad.

On Monday, Israel said it had struck "remaining chemical weapons or long-range missiles and rockets in order that they will not fall in the hands of extremists".

The director-general of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), Fernando Arias, said his group was "following closely" reports of strikes on military facilities.

"We do not know yet whether these strikes have affected chemical weapons related sites. Such airstrikes could create a risk of contamination," said Arias in a speech.

"Another real risk would be the destruction of valuable evidence for investigations by different independent international bodies related to past use of chemical weapons," he added.

In 2014, the OPCW set up what it called a "fact-finding mission" to investigate chemical weapons use in Syria.

This team has issued 21 reports covering 74 instances of alleged chemical weapons use, according to the OPCW.

Investigators concluded that chemical weapons were used or likely used in 20 instances.

"Additionally, we also have to consider the risk of any dangerous chemicals or equipment being lost, without any control," warned Arias in his speech.



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