Syria begins destruction of Assad regime's chemical weapons stockpiles

Syria's Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN), Ibrahim Olabi, announced that the process of destroying the secret chemical weapons stocks remaining from the Assad regime has begun, and stated that this is a historic step for Syria.

The UN Security Council convened to discuss the developments in the Middle East. Speaking at the session, Syria's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ibrahim Olabi, announced that the chemical weapons stockpiles remaining from the Assad regime in Syria have begun to be destroyed within the framework of the verification procedures of the Technical Secretariat of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (KYW). Stating that this process was the first destruction carried out since the liberation of Syria from the Assad regime, Olabi underlined that it was also the first destruction of chemical munitions on Syrian soil in more than ten years. Stating that this file, which has been a threat to the Syrian people and the world for years, can be turned into a concrete success model with determination and sincere international cooperation, Olabi stated that their stance on accountability is non-negotiable and clear, and that they aim to establish international partnerships to strengthen the national justice process.

"A STATE AT THE CENTER OF THE CONFLICTS CHOSEN TO RETURN TO THE INTERNATIONAL COMMUNITY OF ITS OWN WILL"

Stating that the cooperation between Syria and the PFME is not just about technical details, but symbolizes a deep political transformation in the country's approach to multilateral diplomacy, Olabi said, "A state at the center of conflicts has chosen to return to the international community by taking responsibility of its own will at a time when the international system is weakened. Our aim is to protect the Syrian people and the region from these weapons falling into the wrong hands. In addition, Syria acts on behalf of the international community to host the first courts in the world in which those who use chemical weapons will be tried and to make the principle of fighting impunity permanent." "It does," he said.

"WHEN ISRAEL THREATENES OUR SECURITY, WE CAN ENSURE NEITHER OUR OWN SECURITY NOR THE SECURITY OF THE REGION"

Drawing attention to Israel's repeated attacks on Syrian territory, Olabi stated that these attacks directly disrupted chemical substance search and destruction operations, and in some periods caused field flights and studies to stop completely. Emphasizing that the attacks directly endangered both Syrian technical teams and PFME delegations, Olabi said, "While Israel threatens our security and violates international law, we can neither fully ensure our own security nor the security of the region."

"CHEMICAL WEAPONS FILE IS ONE OF THE DARKEST LEGACIES OF THE ASSAD REGIME"

Turkey's Permanent Representative to the UN, Ahmet Yıldız, stated that the chemical weapons file in Syria is one of the darkest legacies of the Assad regime, but that the constructive cooperation of the new Syrian administration with the international community is hopeful for the future. Yıldız noted that they welcomed the decision of the PFMC Executive Council to return Syria's rights and privileges to the organization.