OPCW Restores Syria's Voting Rights After New Government Begins Dismantling Chemical Weapons

The Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons reinstated Syria's voting rights on July 9, 2026. The OPCW cited a significant change in circumstances since the 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad and concrete steps taken by the new Syrian government to dismantle the former regime's chemical weapons stockpile.

The new Syrian government stated it is committed to fulfilling Syria's obligations under the Chemical Weapons Convention and has taken concrete steps to cooperate toward that goal.

OPCW Director-General Fernando Arias said the decision marks another milestone in efforts to achieve the complete and verified elimination of all remaining chemical weapons associated with the former Syrian government. In 2021 the OPCW stripped Syria of its voting rights after determining that its air force had used sarin and chlorine gas.

The post-Assad authorities have since allowed OPCW inspectors to establish a permanent presence in the country, and Arias has visited Syria while Syrian officials have addressed the OPCW at its headquarters in The Hague.

The OPCW executive council said it would continue to monitor Syria's progress and take decisions to eliminate remaining chemical weapons inherited from the former regime. Syria vowed to work with the international community to rid itself of legacy chemical weapons posing a proliferation risk.

Intelligence.