U.S. fears Syrian chemical arms falling to extremists
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power raised the concerns as a mission winds up a drive to eliminate Syria’s chemical arsenal
The United States expressed concern Thursday that undeclared Syrian chemical weapons could fall into the hands of Islamist extremists.
U.S. Ambassador Samantha Power raised the concerns as a joint U.N. and Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons mission winds up a drive to eliminate Syria’s chemical arsenal.
The mission is supposed to formally conclude its work by September 30, but its chief Sigrid Kaag said there were still “discrepancies and questions” related to Syria’s weapons declarations.
“The international community must continue to press for a resolution of all discrepancies and omissions,” said Power.
“The U.S. is concerned about all discrepancies and also the potential that there are real omissions in the declaration,” she added.
Power said the Security Council, currently presided by the United States, “intends to stay very much on top of this.”
“Extremist groups have terrorized everyone they come into contact with in Syria and Iraq and these weapons stocks, if there are any left, could fall into their hands,” she said.
The United States has launched an air campaign against Islamic State in Iraq and Syria militants as they have swept through large parts of Iraq from strongholds in Syria.
Power also recalled that the Syrian regime had carried out chemical weapons attacks itself, particularly on August 21 2013 in a Damascus suburb.
Kaag, delivering her last report to the Security Council as the mission’s chief, said Damascus had presented “four amendments” to its weapons declaration, and that there had been “constructive” discussions on certain discrepancies, including the volume of toxic chemicals declared.
A total of 1,300 tons of chemical agents have been removed from Syria and subsequently destroyed at sea.
Also Read
-
U.N.: Syria chemical arms team to disband Sept. 30, probe to go on
Talks with the OPCW and Syria on arrangements for the destruction of 12 remaining chemical weapons production facilities are still underway Middle East -
U.S. ship finishes neutralizing Syria's worst chemical arms
The Pentagon said that it was the first time chemical weapons components had been neutralized at sea. Middle East -
Iraq: ISIS seizes ex-chemical weapons facility
The Muthanna facility, south of the city of Samarra, was Iraq's primary site for the production of chemical weapons agents Middle East -
Assad’s chemical weapons claims to be investigated
Questions remain over whether Syrian President Bashar al-Assad is hiding undeclared poison gases Middle East -
U.S. ship begins neutralizing Syrian chemical weapons
U.S. container ship Cape Ray began neutralizing chemical materials on Monday that were once part of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's weapons arsenal ... World News -
Pentagon: Syria chemical weapons transfer complete
The disposal process marks the culmination of a program to rid Syria of its chemical weapons stockpile Middle East -
Transfer of Syrian chemical weapons begins in Italy
Transfer of Syrian chemical weapons from a Danish freighter to a US military ship has kicked off Middle East -
Italy boosts security ahead of Syria chemical weapons transfer
A control room housing local officials, firefighters, police and navy officers will begin operating on July 1 ahead of the Ark Futura's arrival Middle East -
Syria hands over last of declared chemical weapons
Syria has handed over the last of acknowledged stockpile of chemical weapons, said the international team of weapons experts tasked with overseeing ... Middle East
