Statement on release of Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons report on chemical attacks in Syria

February 26, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

Global Affairs Canada today issued the following statement on the release of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) report on the chemical weapons attack on Marea, Syria, in September 2015:

“The OPCW report concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe that the terrorist group Daesh deployed sulfur mustard, a chemical weapon, in sustained artillery attacks against the town of Marea on September 1, 2015.

“Canada unequivocally condemns Daesh for its heinous and indiscriminate attack against Syrian civilians. The use of chemical weapons is abhorrent.

“The findings set out in the OPCW Investigation and Identification Team’s (IIT’s) report, the fourth released on chemical weapons use in Syria, reaffirm the importance of the IIT’s mandate and its ongoing work in Syria to identify the perpetrators of chemical weapons attacks. 

“Canada reaffirms its trust in the professionalism, impartiality and integrity of the IIT. We commend the IIT for fulfilling its mandate and for its diligent work in bringing to light the perpetrators of this attack so that steps can be taken to hold them accountable.

“The report reinforces the OPCW’s critical function in addressing the threat of all chemical weapons use, by states and by non-state actors. There must be no impunity for the use of chemical weapons.

“Canada stands with the victims in the town of Marea and will continue engaging partners and the international community to work towards the full implementation of the Chemical Weapons Convention and a world that is free of these inhumane weapons.”