New york: Trkiye's UN envoy has emphasized the importance of sustained international support to eliminate Syria's remaining chemical weapons capabilities. In a UN Security Council session dedicated to addressing chemical weapons in Syria, Ahmet Yildiz highlighted the progress made by Syria's new authorities while underscoring that the international community must prioritize the complete elimination of these weapons.

According to Anadolu Agency - English, Yildiz noted that the anniversary of Syria's December 2024 liberation was marked with hope and optimism. While acknowledging the reforms and efforts undertaken by the Syrian government, he stressed that significant work remains to be done to address the chemical weapons issue, which is crucial for regional security and humanitarian reasons.

Yildiz emphasized that Syria requires international assistance to meet its obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention due to the complexity and technical challenges involved. He urged the global community to seize the opportunity to provide long-term support for Syria's efforts to dismantle its chemical weapons capabilities.

He reiterated Trkiye's commitment to support Syria in this endeavor, highlighting the importance of collaboration with the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) to achieve this goal. Additionally, Yildiz expressed concern over Israel's military activities in Syria, which he stated hinder efforts to address chemical weapons and pose risks to civilians and OPCW missions.

The background of Syria's chemical weapons issue was also discussed, including the 2013 sarin gas attack in Ghouta and subsequent investigations that led to the suspension of some of Syria's OPCW membership rights. The meeting between Syria's new president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, and OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias Gonzalez was also referenced, along with the departure of former leader Bashar al-Assad to Russia in December 2024.