Syria begins destroying former regime chemical weapons

Syria has begun destroying chemical weapons materials left behind by the former regime, marking the first such destruction process in over a decade. The announcement was made on Thursday, September 3, 2026, during a briefing to the United Nations Security Council. Syrian authorities reported that the destruction involves raw materials and munitions identified by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), the international watchdog tasked with enforcing the Chemical Weapons Convention. The OPCW has confirmed the irreversible destruction of 42 aerial bombs that were part of Syria's former weapons program. This marks the first verified destruction of chemical munitions in Syria since 2014. Syria's UN envoy, Ibrahim Olabi, described the operation as a historic milestone and a demonstration of what diplomacy, political will, and international cooperation can achieve. He stated that the destruction process is crucial for protecting Syria's population and the wider region, as well as preventing chemical weapons from falling into the wrong hands.