Syria Chemical Weapons Destruction Begins

Press release by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons and the United Nations

Damascus, 6 October 2013: The process of destroying Syria’s chemical weapons programme began today. Under the supervision of experts from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, supported by the United Nations, Syrian personnel used cutting torches and angle grinders to destroy or disable a range of items. This included missile warheads, aerial bombs and mixing and filling equipment. The process will continue in the coming days.

International inspectors from the OPCW supported by a team from the UN are monitoring, verifying and reporting on Syria’s compliance with international demands to destroy chemical weapons stockpiles and production facilities.