First shipment of chemical weapons leaves Syria

After delays due to technical reasons, the first shipment of chemical weapons has left Syria, several media outlets reported on Tuesday. A statement from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons said: “Syria loaded the first shipment of chemical materials onto a Danish ship in Latakia. It is now in international waters.”

Chinese, Danish, Norwegian and Russian ships are providing security for the operation. Nine containers of weapons in total have been removed so far. They will be held at sea until all such weapons in Syria have been removed.

The weapons are being taken out of Syria as part of a deal agreed with the Russians, America and other Western countries last year. Syria agreed to get rid of all of its chemical weapons by June this year.

The international move against the weapons followed a chemical attack on Syrian civilians by forces loyal to the Assad regime in August. Hundreds of deaths were reported.

Source: Shorouknews