International Concerns Over More Chemical Weapons Sites in Syria
April 6, 2025, 4:41 pm

International Concerns Over More Chemical Weapons Sites in Syria

الأسلحة الكيميائية

The Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) has confirmed the existence of more than 100 chemical weapons sites that remain operational in Syria, marking the first estimate of its kind since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime. These sites are alleged to serve as locations for research, production, and storage of these weapons.

Assad has used sarin and chlorine gas in attacks against civilians and opposition forces throughout years of conflict. The number of sites and the level of security surrounding them pose significant challenges for the interim government led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham, which is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States.

Amid growing questions about the fate of these chemical materials, experts have expressed concerns about the potential access of extremist groups to them due to inadequate security measures. The Syrian foreign minister has expressed the government’s commitment to destroying any remnants of the chemical weapons program.

This situation arises as Syria continues to suffer from chaos, with recurrent acts of violence. The new government has also not appointed an ambassador to the OPCW, which is seen as a sign of a lack of seriousness in adhering to commitments.

It is noteworthy that the Syrian regime previously declared 27 chemical weapons facilities, while it continued to use these weapons until 2018. Current research by the organization, renewed among experts and its team, indicates a significant likelihood of undisclosed sites that require careful disclosure and securing, posing a threat to international security.

Nevertheless, some observers exhibit cautious optimism regarding the government’s intentions, especially after permitting a team from the organization to enter the country to document the current state of potential sites. However, previous experiences with the Syrian government raise questions regarding the credibility of national commitments to international obligations.

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BENEFIT, the Kingdom’s innovator and leading company in Fintech and electronic financial transactions service, has sponsored the BuildHer CityHack 2025 Hackathon, a two-day event spearheaded by the College of Engineering and Technology at the Royal University for Women (RUW).
Aimed at secondary school students, the event brought together a distinguished group of academic professionals and technology experts to mentor and inspire young participants.
More than 100 high school students from across the Kingdom of Bahrain took part in the hackathon, which featured an intensive programme of training workshops and hands-on sessions. These activities were tailored to enhance participants’ critical thinking, collaborative problem-solving, and team-building capabilities, while also encouraging the development of practical and sustainable solutions to contemporary challenges using modern technological tools.
BENEFIT’s Chief Executive Mr. Abdulwahed AlJanahi, commented: “Our support for this educational hackathon reflects our long-term strategic vision to nurture the talents of emerging national youth and empower the next generation of accomplished female leaders in technology. By fostering creativity and innovation, we aim to contribute meaningfully to Bahrain’s comprehensive development goals and align with the aspirations outlined in the Kingdom’s Vision 2030—an ambition in which BENEFIT plays a central role.”
Professor Riyadh Yousif Hamzah, President of the Royal University for Women, commented: “This initiative reflects our commitment to advancing women in STEM fields. We're cultivating a generation of creative, solution-driven female leaders who will drive national development. Our partnership with BENEFIT exemplifies the powerful synergy between academia and private sector in supporting educational innovation.”
Hanan Abdulla Hasan, Senior Manager, PR & Communication at BENEFIT, said: “We are honoured to collaborate with RUW in supporting this remarkable technology-focused event. It highlights our commitment to social responsibility, and our ongoing efforts to enhance the digital and innovation capabilities of young Bahraini women and foster their ability to harness technological tools in the service of a smarter, more sustainable future.”
For his part, Dr. Humam ElAgha, Acting Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology at the University, said: “BuildHer CityHack 2025 embodies our hands-on approach to education. By tackling real-world problems through creative thinking and sustainable solutions, we're preparing women to thrive in the knowledge economy – a cornerstone of the University's vision.”