Syria launches new phase to eliminate chemical weapons legacy

Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Hassan Shaibani announced that Syria will begin a new phase tomorrow in addressing the legacy of chemical weapons, following the initiation of technical and operational procedures to eliminate them in cooperation with international partners, while continuing efforts to pursue those involved in related massacres and bring them to justice.

Writing on X today, Shaibani said, "Today we recall one of the most painful chapters in Syria's history, when Syrians awoke to the scent of death after the former regime targeted them with chemical weapons, resulting in hundreds of martyrs. We pray for God's mercy upon them, that they may rest in peace, and for patience and solace for their families and loved ones."

Shaibani added: "Tomorrow, the Syrian Arab Republic will begin a new phase in dealing with the legacy of these weapons, as we have started the necessary technical and operational steps to eliminate them, in cooperation with international partners."

He continued: In parallel, we are continuing efforts to identify the perpetrators of chemical weapons massacres and all those involved, to pursue, hold them accountable, and bring them to justice according to the law, in order to honor the victims and reinforce the principle of no impunity.

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For his part, Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab affirmed that the right of victims of the chemical massacre in Eastern Ghouta to justice remains, and that efforts to pursue those responsible are ongoing, stressing that no criminal will escape punishment.

Khattab wrote on X, "On the anniversary of the massacre: Thirteen years have passed since the chemical massacre in Eastern Ghouta, yet the images of the martyrs and the pain of their families remain vivid in Syrians' memory, and their right to justice endures."

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