OPCW reinstates Syria's voting rights after Assad's fall

The global chemical weapons watchdog has reinstated Syria's voting rights, citing a "significant change in circumstances" since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad Source: DW News. The decision by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) executive council, co-sponsored by 67 states and adopted by consensus, marks a turnaround from the 2021 suspension imposed for failing to declare the full scope of its chemical weapons program and for repeated use of toxic gas during the civil war Source: AP News.

Progress under new authorities

Since Assad's fall in 2024, the interim government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa has taken concrete steps to cooperate with the OPCW, including:

• Amending its initial declaration of chemical weapons Source: DW News
• Facilitating verification activities and opening previously undeclared sites to inspectors Source: AP News
• Taking initial steps toward destroying identified remnants, such as chemical bombs and rockets Source: Al Jazeera

The OPCW also approved plans for destroying recently declared stockpile at Al Qutayfah, including materials for a nerve agent Source: AP News.

Reactions

OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias called the reinstatement "another milestone in the OPCW's efforts to achieve the complete and verified elimination of all remaining chemical weapons associated with the former Syrian government" Source: Euronews. Syria's foreign ministry welcomed the decision, stating it "reflects the international community's confidence in the transformation that Syria has undergone" and thanked Qatar for its diplomatic efforts Source: Euronews. The move comes a day after the U.S. announced it would remove Syria from the list of state sponsors of terrorism Source: AP News.