Israel Benefits the World by Targeting Assad’s Chemical Weapons Stockpiles

In light of the fall of the Assad regime, Israel has rendered a critical service to the global community.

Recently, the Israeli Air Force targeted numerous sites in Syria believed to be associated with chemical weapons, aiming to ensure these capabilities do not reach the hands of terrorists.

Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar stated on Monday, “Our operations focused on dismantling strategic munitions, the remaining chemical weapon capabilities, and long-range missiles, preventing them from being seized by extremists.”

The United States, seemingly agreeable to allow Jerusalem to manage this vital military initiative while they targeted Islamic State positions in Syria, must now assist in completing the task.

With a touch of luck, diplomatic efforts could suffice, yet their effectiveness may hinge on a blend of soft talk and strong measures.

The focus for Washington should be to urge Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS)—the force behind Syria’s new leadership—to allow international inspectors access to confirm the complete dismantlement of Damascus’ chemical weapons.

HTS is designated as a terrorist organization by both the US and the UN and has links to al-Qaeda, necessitating a cautious approach.

A US official informed Axios on Sunday that the US has “good fidelity” regarding Syria’s chemical weapons and asserts these capabilities are not presently at risk of falling into non-state hands.

Thanks to that, Jerusalem deserves considerable credit.

Up to its final days, the Assad regime maintained a substantial stockpile of chemical weaponry, including agents, precursors, research capabilities, munitions, storage, and testing facilities.

The US State Department assessed in May 2024 that Syria was running an undeclared chemical weapons program, which it has employed to assault its population on at least 50 verified occasions from 2012 to 2019. The real total is likely significantly higher.

In 2013, Damascus deployed the lethal nerve agent sarin, killing 1,400 individuals in Ghouta.

Faced with the threat of US airstrikes, Syria consented to join the Chemical Weapons Convention, which mandated relinquishing its arsenal.

Although it feigned compliance, Washington played along.

Nevertheless, Damascus struck again with sarin against civilians in Khan Shaykhun in 2017, and used chlorine gas to kill dozens in Douma in April 2018, among numerous other incidents.

President Donald Trump, during his first term, responded with air strikes on both occasions.

Last month, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) indicated it still could not confirm the complete dismantling of Syria’s chemical weapons program.

The OPCW stated on Monday that it is prepared to assist, reaffirming their commitment to addressing any gaps or discrepancies in Syria’s chemical weapons declarations amidst a political transition.

HTS has publicly pledged that it does not intend to utilize chemical weapons, has offered to secure the regime’s chemical weapon sites, and has committed to cooperating with international observers.

If these promises are unkept, HTS or other extremist factions could exploit Assad’s chemical arsenal for their own ends.

They might use such weapons in attacks, transfer them to allies for international operations, or sell them to other entities.

Washington, which has begun talks with HTS through intermediaries like Turkey, must now compel HTS to fulfill its commitments if Syria is to benefit from any form of US sanctions relief or support.

The government backed by HTS is in dire need of both.

Thirteen years of civil conflict have devastated the economy. Without lifting sanctions, the path to reconstruction will be incredibly challenging.

The United States must insist that HTS guarantees the safety of OPCW inspectors.

The results of OPCW investigations, along with any emerging evidence, will be essential to ensure the total destruction of Syria’s chemical weapon stockpiles and to facilitate prosecutions against those who utilized them on behalf of Assad.

In acting prudently and decisively to neutralize Syria’s chemical arsenal, Jerusalem has demonstrated commendable leadership.

Washington must now ensure HTS permits international inspectors to complete their critical work.

Andrea Stricker is deputy director of the Nonproliferation and Biodefense Program and a research fellow at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies (FDD). Follow her on X @StrickerNonpro. FDD is a nonpartisan research entity based in Washington, D.C., specializing in national security and foreign policy.