OPCW delivers report on 2018 chemical weapon incident in Syria

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) released the findings of its investigation on an incident that occurred in Saraqib, Syrian Arab Republic, on Feb. 4, 2018.

OPCW’s Investigation and Identification Team (IIT) is charged with identifying the perpetrators of the use of chemical weapons in the Syrian Arab Republic.

This latest report concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe that on the evening of Feb. 4, 2018, a military helicopter of the Syrian Arab Air Force under the control of the Tiger Forces hit eastern Saraqib by dropping at least one cylinder. The cylinder ruptured and released chlorine over a large area, affecting 12 individuals.

“The IIT reached its conclusions on the basis of the degree of certainty of “reasonable grounds.” In reaching its conclusions, the IIT carefully assessed the information obtained from the FFM, States Parties, and other entities, coupled with interviews conducted by the IIT and analyses of samples, munition remnants, gas dispersion models, and topographic studies, as well as advice from experts, specialists, and forensic institutes, along with other relevant material and sources,” the report said.

It added that the IIT reviewed thousands of files, amounting to more than 400 gigabytes, obtained 44 statements from more than 30 witnesses, and considered data related to 18 samples. The IIT is made up of a multi-disciplinary team that includes experienced investigators, analysts, and a legal adviser.

OPCW, with its 193 Member States, oversees the global endeavor to permanently eliminate chemical weapons. Since it was established in 1997, over 98 percent of all declared chemical weapon stockpiles have been destroyed under OPCW verification. For its efforts, OPCW received the 2013 Nobel Peace Prize.