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On October 14, 2024, the Council of the European Union renewed sanctions against the use of chemical weapons for an additional year. The sanctions apply to 28 individuals and entities, including several Syrian nationals.
The Council extended these sanctions until October 16, 2025. The measures target 25 individuals (7 of whom are Syrian) and 3 entities, including a Syrian company and The Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC).
Council of the European Union Resolution
The designated individuals are subject to asset freezes, and EU-based persons and entities are prohibited from providing them with funds, financial assets, or economic resources. Moreover, a travel ban to the EU applies to the listed persons.
This sanctions regime aims to support the European Union’s efforts to fight the use of chemical weapons. It also enhances the implementation of the Convention on the Prohibition of Development, Production, Stockpiling, and use of chemical weapons, as well as the consequence of destruction.
On March 22, 2018, the European Council affirmed that the use of chemical weapons, including any toxic chemicals as weapons, is entirely unacceptable. It must be systematically and firmly condemned as a threat to global security.
On October 15, 2018, the Council adopted the legal framework for restrictive measures against the proliferation and use of chemical weapons, valid until October 16, 2026.
In parallel with this, on October 14, 2024, the Council extended the application of these restrictive measures for one more year, until October 16, 2025.
The European Union emphasized a close monitoring of sanctions imposed on individuals and entities, stressing that it can renew or modify the list of targets if its objectives are not met.
The Seven Syrian Individuals Included in the Sanctions
- Colonel Tarek Yasmina
A colonel in the Syrian regime’s army, he acts as an intermediary officer between the SSRC and the presidential palace. He is involved in the use and preparation of chemical weapons by the Syrian regime. - Khaled Nasri
The director of Institute 1000 at the SSRC, responsible for developing and producing computer systems and electronics for Syria’s chemical weapons program. - Dr. Walid Zgheib
The director of Institute 2000 at the SSRC, supervising mechanical development and production for Syria’s chemical weapons program. - Colonel Firas Ahmed
A colonel in the Syrian army, and the director of the Security Office at Institute 1000. He was involved in the transfer and concealment of materials related to chemical weapons after Syria’s accession to the Chemical Weapons Convention. - Dr. Said Said
A key figure at Institute 3000 (also known as Institute 6000), a division of the SSRC responsible for developing and producing Syria’s chemical weapons. - Shadi Houraniyeh
Co-owner of Mohammad Nazir Houraniyeh & Sons, a metallurgical company that supplies the SSRC with materials for manufacturing chemical weapons delivery systems. He provides material support for chemical weapons production and participates in preparations for their use. - Nazir Houraniyeh
Co-owner of Mohammad Nazir Houraniyeh & Sons, which also provides material support for the manufacture of chemical weapons and contributes to the ongoing threat of their proliferation and use.
Entities Involved
- The Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC)
The SSRC is the main entity behind Syria’s chemical weapons development system. It is responsible for producing chemical weapons and various missile delivery systems, operating from multiple locations across Syria. - Mohammad Nazir Houraniyeh & Sons
This metallurgical company supplies the SSRC with materials used in the manufacture of chemical weapons delivery systems. It provides material support for chemical weapons production and participates in preparations for such use.
European Measures Against Chemical Weapons Spreading
The European Decision CFSP (1544/2018) outlines nine detailed articles regarding the EU’s measures against chemical weapons spreading. Article 1 defines chemical weapons as outlined in Article 2 of the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Article 2 states that EU Member States take necessary measures to prevent responsible individuals from entering or transiting through their territories. This includes those involved in the following activities:
- Manufacturing, acquiring, possessing, developing, transporting, stockpiling, or transferring chemical weapons.
- Using chemical weapons.
- Participating in any preparations for the use of chemical weapons.
However, Member States may grant exemptions from these measures under certain circumstances, such as urgent humanitarian needs, intergovernmental meetings, or judicial processes.
Article 3 specifies that all funds and economic resources belonging to individuals or entities involved in chemical weapons activities, or those providing material or technical support, will be frozen.
Based on the information above, Chemical Violations Documentation Centre of Syria (CVDCS) calls on international entities to begin effectively holding accountable all perpetrators of crimes in Syria.
assad_regime chemical_attack chemical_weapons EuropeanUnion syria
