Almost Half of Syria’s Chemical Arsenal Sent Abroad

Though US officials continue to rail at Syria for missing deadlines on chemical disarmament, the process is continuing apace, according to the Organization for Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).

All of Syria’s facilities have been dismantled, and the the OPCW says that 49.3% of Syria’s chemical arsenal has now been exported abroad for disincorporation, including all of its remaining sulphur mustard.

Syria’s shipments of the chemicals go through Latakia, deep in rebel territory, and getting trucks to the port has been a difficult proposition, with rebels repeatedly targeting the chemical arsenal on its way abroad.

The OPCW says that “good progress” has been made and Syria has submitted a plan to have the rest of their chemicals shipped out by April 27. The initial goal was to finish disincorporation by the end of June, though it remains to be seen if that can be accomplished.