Is Syria Hiding Chemical Weapons?
A report by CNN claims that US intelligence is examining information that the Syrian regime may have a kept some chemical weapons concealed, despite efforts to get rid of them
Michael Kadichevski
| 22/02/2015
Is Syria concealing the full extent of the chemical weapons in its possession? A report published on Tuesday by CNN alleged that the US is currently examining new intelligence which may indicate that the Bashar al-Assad regime may not declare its chemical weapons arsenal in full, and may possess a hidden stockpile of chemical weapons past the conclusion of the efforts to destroy such weapons.
The report, which quoted several US officials, indicated that US intelligence agencies, the US Department of Defense, State Department and the White House are going over the intelligence, and an effort is currently underway to obtain more information so as to fully recognize the efforts being carried out by the Assad regime.
According to a US official quoted in the report, while the intelligence being examined is not conclusive at this point, "there are information threads that could shake our confidence - things have been done recently which indicate that Syria is not ready to see all of its chemical weapons destroyed."
As was reported last week, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reported that its teams have examined 21 out of 23 chemical weapon sites located across Syria. The two remaining sites were not investigated since traveling to their locations posed too great of a threat to the inspectors. However, the chemical equipment that was stationed at the sites were transferred to other locations in order to be examined by the organization.
Bernadette Meehan, Spokesperson for the US National Security Council, said that the US is "continuing to review and assess Syria's statement to the OPCW. However, in accordance with the organization's regulations, Syria's statement is confidential, and as such we will not discuss its details or our assessment of it."
Is Syria concealing the full extent of the chemical weapons in its possession? A report published on Tuesday by CNN alleged that the US is currently examining new intelligence which may indicate that the Bashar al-Assad regime may not declare its chemical weapons arsenal in full, and may possess a hidden stockpile of chemical weapons past the conclusion of the efforts to destroy such weapons.
The report, which quoted several US officials, indicated that US intelligence agencies, the US Department of Defense, State Department and the White House are going over the intelligence, and an effort is currently underway to obtain more information so as to fully recognize the efforts being carried out by the Assad regime.
According to a US official quoted in the report, while the intelligence being examined is not conclusive at this point, "there are information threads that could shake our confidence - things have been done recently which indicate that Syria is not ready to see all of its chemical weapons destroyed."
As was reported last week, the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) reported that its teams have examined 21 out of 23 chemical weapon sites located across Syria. The two remaining sites were not investigated since traveling to their locations posed too great of a threat to the inspectors. However, the chemical equipment that was stationed at the sites were transferred to other locations in order to be examined by the organization.
Bernadette Meehan, Spokesperson for the US National Security Council, said that the US is "continuing to review and assess Syria's statement to the OPCW. However, in accordance with the organization's regulations, Syria's statement is confidential, and as such we will not discuss its details or our assessment of it."
