Summary Update of the Activities Carried out by the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria

S/1677/2018

10 October 2018

Original: ENGLISH

NOTE BY THE TECHNICAL SECRETARIAT

SUMMARY UPDATE OF THE ACTIVITIES CARRIED OUT BY THE OPCW FACT-FINDING MISSION IN SYRIA

UPDATE

1. This summary provides an update on the activities of the OPCW Fact-Finding Mission in Syria (FFM) since the Eighty-Eighth Session of the Executive Council.

2. The FFM has deployed in order to gather relevant facts. All deployments and movements of the FFM took place with all necessary authorisations, including from the United Nations Department of Safety and Security.

3. The FFM received Note Verbale No. 88 (dated 20 September 2017) from the Syrian Arab Republic, referring to an allegation of use of an unknown toxic gas in Qalib al-Thawr, Al-Salimayah on 9 August 2017. The Syrian Arab Republic also addressed to the FFM Notes Verbales No. 103 (dated 26 October 2017), No. 116 (dated 10 November 2017), and No. 128 (dated 4 December 2017), requesting the OPCW to investigate two incidents that occurred in Khirbat Masasinah, Hama Governorate on 7 July and 4 August 2017. Furthermore, Note Verbale No. 127 (dated 24 November 2017) refers to an incident in Al-Balil, Souran, Hama Governorate on 8 November 2017.

4. After reviewing the information gathered by the FFM and provided by the authorities of the Syrian Arab Republic in regard to the incidents mentioned in paragraph 3 above, the FFM deployed in December 2017. Subsequently, the FFM identified a number of issues requiring clarification. This formed the basis for the FFM’s deployment in September 2018, during which the FFM discussed certain issues with the Syrian Arab Republic and received clarifications through various documents, as well as written explanations from the Syrian authorities. The team was also able to gather more information pertaining to the incidents, such as original medical records for patients, hospital logbooks, and updated technical reports, including maps and coordinates for the incident location.

5. Note Verbale No. 106 (dated 1 November 2017) refers to the use of toxic chemicals in the southern area of Yarmouk Camp in Damascus on 22 October 2017.

6. During its deployment to the Syrian Arab Republic in December 2017, the FFM was not provided with any information relevant to the incident in Yarmouk. At the time, the Syrian authorities informed the FFM that they did not have control over the area and would not be able to support the activities of the FFM.

7. During the deployment in September 2018, the FFM reiterated its inquiries about the incident. In response, the Syrian authorities announced that access was gained to the area, which therefore allowed the authorities to gather information and compile a technical report containing the coordinates of the incident location. The FFM was also provided with access to two relevant witnesses who were interviewed.

8. The FFM has noted regular alleged incidents in areas around Damascus, such as Ein Tarma, Douma, and Jobar. The FFM has held both face-to-face and Skype interviews with regard to allegations in these areas.

9. The FFM issued an interim report (S/1645/2018, dated 6 July 2018) on the alleged incident in Douma on 7 April 2018. Analysis, verification, and corroboration of data collected by the FFM are still ongoing. The splits of the remaining 65 samples collected in Douma were provided to the Syrian Arab Republic. Analysis of samples will continue to be carried out by designated laboratories.

10. The Technical Secretariat (hereinafter “the Secretariat”) issued Note S/1654/2018 (dated 20 July 2018) providing an update on the activities of the FFM.

NEXT STEPS

11. Taking all of the information gathered into account, the FFM is still in the process of collecting and analysing all available information in regard to the incidents reported in Notes Verbales No. 88, No. 103, No. 106, No. 116, No. 127, and No. 128. However, since the security situation inside the Syrian Arab Republic is evolving, additional information may become available at a later stage.

12. In relation to the incidents listed in the aforementioned notes verbales, the FFM is currently in the process of translating relevant documentation provided over the course of its deployments, transcribing the recently conducted interviews, and analysing all of the information provided by the Syrian Arab Republic and gathered by the team. Moreover, the FFM team is actively gathering information in relation to the reported incidents and is currently preparing for an upcoming deployment. The FFM also expects to be provided with more information from the Syrian Arab Republic authorities.

13. The FFM will concentrate on building upon its analysis of available evidence through the continued collection and evaluation of relevant information and evidence through all means available, with a view to issuing a final report in relation to the alleged incident of 7 April 2018 in Douma and the pending allegations which have been assessed as credible (listed in the Annex hereto).

14. The Secretariat will keep the State Parties informed of the progress of the FFM’s activities.

Annex (English only):

Open-Source Allegations of the Use of Chemicals as Weapons – 1 December 2015 to 8 October 2018