Syrian government finds 54 bombs from remnants of Assad's chemical program

 The OPCW's Syria Moth  revealed  that the search and investigation operations resulted in the identification of sites linked to the chemical program of the former regime's era.

In a statement, the mission explained that 54 aerial bombs similar to those used by the former regime in Latamneh in 2017 and 25 surface-to-surface bombs similar to those used in Eastern Ghouta in 2013 were found, and that all materials, ammunition and equipment were transferred to special facilities for storing chemicals after the inspection teams of the OPCW Technical Secretariat verified, in preparation for their destruction, in order to ensure the prevention of any danger to civilians, the environment or national, regional and international security.

The mission noted the arrest of 18 persons under investigation linked to the chemical programme of the former regime, including high-ranking officers, former experts at the Scientific Research Centre and officers from the security apparatus overseeing the chemical programme of the former regime.

During the visit of the OPCW inspection teams in May 2026, the mission indicated that this progress came as a result of intensive national work in collecting and analyzing information and planning access to high-priority sites in technical and advisory cooperation with members of the "Breath of Freedom" team and a number of friendly OPCW member states.

  Since the liberation of Syria, national teams have facilitated visits by OPCW inspection teams to 32 suspected sites and reported on 14 additional sites, which has contributed to prioritization and significantly reducing the number of suspected sites.

The mission concluded by saying that the Syrian Arab Republic affirms that these efforts come within the framework of its commitment to get rid of the legacy of chemical weapons, hold those responsible for their use against Syrians accountable and prevent the recurrence of these crimes, in a way that enhances national, regional and global security and stability, and is in line with its international obligations.

Insistence on destroying the "chemical"

Syria's representative to the United Nations, Ibrahim Alabi, said during a session on September 12, 2025, that those working on the chemical weapons file in Damascus are "witnesses and survivors of this weapon," and they are determined to confront it "for the last time" and eliminate it once and for all, noting that they need the necessary technical expertise and equipment, "but they are the most patient and courageous in confronting it."

Alabi pointed out that Syria seeks to "preserve the global non-proliferation regime" and prevent the use of chemical weapons, considering it a "national priority" based on a firm belief in the right of victims to fairness, justice, prevention of recurrence and perpetuation of the truth, adding that Syria needs international support to destroy its chemical weapons program.

Syria, through Qatar's permanent mission to the OPCW, has submitted a "conceptual plan" on the destruction of these weapons, and a draft resolution of the OPCW's executive council that would "frame the process of destroying the chemical arsenal of the Assad era," according to Syria's permanent ambassador to the United Nations.

More than 100 chemical weapons sites

In April 2025, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) revealed the existence of more than 100 suspected chemical weapons sites in Syria, which were abandoned after the fall of the former Syrian regime.

According to a report published by the American newspaper "New York Times",  the number of sites exceeds previous estimates and represents a test for the new Syrian government.

Some of these sites are believed to be hidden in caves or hard-to-find areas using satellite imagery, it said, noting that the sites may contain sarin gas as well as chlorine and mustard gas.

The sites were used to research, manufacture and store chemical weapons, it said, noting that former Syrian regime President Bashar al-Assad has used weapons such as sarin and chlorine gas against opposition fighters and Syrian civilians for more than a decade.

 The new figure was based on intelligence data from member states, non-profit organizations and research from abroad.