Statement by Tánaiste Micheál Martin on the investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Marea, Syria

On 22 February 2024, the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) published the fourth report of its Investigation and Identification Team (IIT). The report addresses the use of chemical weapons in Marea, Syria, on 1 September 2015.

Responding to the publication, the Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs and Minister for Defence Micheál Martin said:

"I welcome the fourth report of the Investigation and Identification Team (IIT).

"The report concludes that there are reasonable grounds to believe that units of the Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL) were the perpetrators of the chemical weapons attack on 1 September 2015 in Marea, Syria.

"The report finds that at least 11 victims experienced symptoms consistent with exposure to sulphur mustard, a chemical weapon prohibited under the Chemical Weapons Convention. The international community must not permit the re-emergence of chemical weapons use by any actor, whether state or non-state. Ireland condemns this attack in the strongest possible terms, and reiterates unequivocally our condemnation of the use of chemical weapons at anytime, anywhere, under any circumstance. The use of chemical weapons is a clear violation of international law and can constitute a war crime and a crime against humanity.

"I fully support the IIT’s findings and commend the professionalism, integrity and impartiality of the IIT, as well as their demonstrated ability to identify the perpetrators of chemical weapons use, both State and non-State Actors. Ireland supports the vital role played by the OPCW in the global prohibition of chemical weapons, including to prevent and respond to the threat posed by the use of chemical weapons by non-State actors.

“Ireland will continue our efforts to ensure accountability and to uphold the integrity of the Chemical Weapons Convention."