Syria and France renew commitment to holding those responsible for the use of chemical weapons accountable
- On the 13th anniversary of the Ghouta attack: Both affirmed support for uncovering the truth and destroying the remnants of the “outrageous regime’s” chemical program
The Syrian Arab Republic and the French Republic commemorated the victims of the chemical attack that targeted Eastern Ghouta and Muadhamiyat al-Sham in the Damascus countryside on August 21, 2013, expressing their sincerest condolences to the victims’ families and reaffirming their joint commitment to supporting efforts to uncover the truth, achieve justice, and hold those responsible for these crimes accountable.
In a joint statement issued today, Friday, marking the 13th anniversary of the attack, as reported by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), Syria and France stated that Syria witnessed more than 200 chemical weapons attacks between late 2012 and the fall of the outrageous regime in December 2024, resulting in the deaths of more than 1,500 people, including women and children.
The two countries renewed their commitment to combating impunity, in honor of the victims and in defense of the principle of accountability, noting that the Syrian Arab Republic has submitted an application to join the International Partnership to End Impunity for the Use of Chemical Weapons. France welcomed this step, viewing it as a reaffirmation of the need to strengthen justice and accountability and to confront impunity.
They clarified that this step follows the historic visit by the President of the French Republic to Syria on July 6 and 7, 2026, which inaugurated a new phase in Syrian-French relations and affirmed the shared will to overcome the legacy of the tragic period Syria endured under the outrageous regime, opening a new chapter based on cooperation and mutual respect.
The two countries emphasized the importance of the role played by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) in uncovering the truth regarding the outrageous regime’s chemical weapons program, identifying and verifying the remaining elements of this program, and working to destroy them in cooperation with Syria.
They also welcomed Syria’s restoration of its full rights and privileges within the OPCW, stressing their support for the organization’s efforts to address outstanding files, thereby strengthening the prohibition regime, consolidating the principle of non-impunity, and ensuring that such crimes are not repeated.
On August 21, 2013, the outrageous regime carried out a large-scale attack using the internationally banned sarin gas, targeting several areas in both Eastern and Western Ghouta. The attack resulted in the martyrdom of more than 1,400 civilians, including approximately 200 women and children, and injured thousands with suffocation and poisoning, constituting one of the most heinous crimes committed by the regime against Syrians.
Since the liberation, the Syrian government has continued its efforts to pursue and hold accountable those involved in the use of chemical weapons. Several individuals have been arrested in preparation for their prosecution, including Adnan Aboud Halwa, Mohammad Hassan Al-Sharif, Amr Mohammad Armunazi, Ghayth Hamoud Al-Mousa, Mezer Sawan, and Rami Qanbar Suleiman.
Syria affirms that these measures are part of a comprehensive process aimed at uncovering the truth, vindicating the victims, and ensuring that no perpetrator escapes justice.
