BRUSSELS, Jan 28 (KUNA) -- The European Union on Wednesday strongly condemned the use of chemical weapons in Syria, following the release of the fifth report by the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
EU spokesperson Anouar El-Anouni said in a press release issued in Brussels that the OPCW released a report on January 20, 2026, concluding that the Syrian Arab Air Force was responsible for a chemical attack carried out in the town of Kafr Zeita in the Syrian Arab Republic on October 1, 2016.
The EU explained that the report found "reasonable grounds" to believe that a military helicopter dropped a cylinder containing chlorine gas, resulting in injuries to 35 identified individuals, in addition to dozens of other civilians being affected.
The European Union stressed its "unequivocal condemnation of the use of chemical weapons by anyone, whether a State or a non-State actor, anywhere, at any time and under any circumstances," It affirmed that such acts constitute a flagrant violation of international law and may amount to the most serious international crimes, including war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The EU welcomed the positive role played by the Syrian Transitional Authorities in facilitating the investigations conducted by the OPCW, considering that the professional reports issued by the Investigation and Identification Team contribute to efforts aimed at ending impunity for the use of chemical weapons.
It reaffirmed its commitment to continue supporting the OPCW politically and financially, with the aim of ensuring full accountability for all those responsible for these "heinous crimes" in Syria and beyond.
The European Union said it has previously imposed restrictive measures on officials and scientists of the former President Bashar Al-Assad's regime for their role in the development and use of chemical weapons.
The EU stressed that, in light of the new report, it remains ready to consider the introduction of further measures as appropriate. (end) arn.aai