The eleventh anniversary of the most significant chemical attack of the 21st century, which targeted Ghouta in Damascus on August 21, 2013, is approaching. In the early hours of that day, the Syrian regime launched several sarin-filled rockets from Brigade 155 in Al-Qutayfah, located in the Damascus countryside, at residential areas in both Eastern and Western Ghouta. This attack resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,400 people, including a large number of women and children, and caused injuries to nearly 6,000 others from the deadly gas, many of whom continue to suffer its effects to this day.
This attack—despite its brutality—was not an isolated incident but rather the beginning of a systematic strategy by the Syrian regime to use chemical weapons, one of the weapons of mass destruction, as a means to subjugate the Syrian people.
Although the Syrian regime joined the Chemical Weapons Convention in September 2013 and later announced the destruction of its chemical arsenal, it continued to use these weapons against Syrians. Over 210 instances of chemical weapons use have been documented across Syria, including attacks on civilians in Idlib, Aleppo, and Hama.
Evidence unequivocally indicates that the Syrian regime continues to manufacture and develop these weapons at the Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC), in blatant violation of the Chemical Weapons Convention, which it signed.
Eleven years after this attack, survivors continue to suffer from severe health effects and are still awaiting justice and accountability for those responsible for this heinous crime.
The Chemical Violations Documentation Center of Syria (CVDCS) emphasizes the importance of holding the perpetrators of this crime accountable and bringing them to justice through the establishment of independent and effective judicial mechanisms. The Center stresses that ensuring accountability is not only a matter of justice for the victims and their families but also a necessary step to prevent the recurrence of such crimes in the future. Impunity encourages the repetition of such crimes and poses a serious threat to international peace and stability.
In this context, the Chemical Violations Documentation Center of Syria (CVDCS) welcomes the arrest warrant issued by the French judiciary against Bashar al-Assad and Maher al-Assad for their direct role in the chemical attack on Ghouta. The Center affirms that this warrant is a step towards justice and calls on the international community to continue to pressure for the prosecution of all those responsible for these crimes, regardless of their positions.
The Center also stresses the necessity of completely eliminating all chemical weapons in Syria and permanently ending this program by strengthening the mandates of the relevant international teams, enabling them to confront the Syrian regime’s manipulation. Achieving this requires active international cooperation and continuous support for efforts aimed at enforcing effective oversight on the manufacturing, storage, and use of chemical weapons.
The Chemical Violations Documentation Center of Syria (CVDCS) reaffirms its commitment to continuing the documentation of these crimes. The Center has documented 262 chemical attacks, resulting in 2,423 deaths and 13,947 injuries, most of whom were civilians, during the years of war in Syria. The Center has also succeeded in gathering evidence condemning the perpetrators and continues its efforts to achieve justice for the victims and their families, ensuring that these crimes do not go unpunished.
Justice for the Victims of Chemical Weapons
Chemical Violations Documentation Center of Syria (CVDCS)
assad_regime chemical_attack chemical_weapons ghouta justice_on_hold sarin syria
