Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation

01/27/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 01/27/2026 08:31

Switzerland condemns use of chemical weapons in Syria

Switzerland takes note of the fifth report of the Investigation and Identification Team of the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), which was mandated to identify the perpetrators of chemical weapons use in Kafr Zita in the Hama Governorate of Syria on 1 October 2016. Switzerland condemns the use of chemical weapons in the strongest terms and calls for those responsible to be held accountable.

The fifth report of the OPCW's Investigation and Identification Team (IIT), which was published on 21 January 2026, sets out the findings from the investigation into the use of chemical weapons in Kafr Zeita, 30 kilometers north of Hama. The IIT has stated that there are justifiable reasons to conclude that the perpetrators were members of the Syrian Army's 'Tiger Forces' at the time of the attack. The IIT states that a Syrian Air Force helicopter dropped at least one yellow cylinder on the evening of 1 October 2016 as part of a military offensive aimed at stopping the opposition's advance towards the city of Hama. The cylinder hit two ventilation shafts near the Al Maghara hospital in Wadi al-Aanz in Kafr Zeita. On impact, the cylinder released chlorine gas, which spread and caused serious harm to at least 35 people.

Switzerland, which is represented at the OPCW by Ambassador Corinne Cicéron Bühler, condemns this deployment of chemical weapons in the strongest terms. The ban on the use of chemical weapons is binding on all parties to conflicts at all times and in all circumstances. The fifth IIT report is further evidence of the systematic use of toxic chemicals as weapons by the former Syrian authorities against their own people.

Those responsible for crimes under international law, including those responsible for the use of chemical weapons, must be brought to justice in independent, impartial and fair trials in accordance with international law. Switzerland supports organisations and measures aimed at documenting crimes under international law committed by all parties and bringing the perpetrators to justice. Such efforts are undertaken by the IIT as well as other bodies including UN mechanisms such as the International, Impartial and Independent Mechanism for Syria and by Syrian NGOs. Switzerland welcomes the Syrian transitional government's cooperation with the OPCW and the IIT.

Switzerland will continue to provide humanitarian assistance to the people affected by the conflict in Syria as well as to neighbouring countries which have taken in the majority of those displaced. In addition, it will continue to make its good offices available to facilitate a lasting peace in Syria.

Address for enquiries:

FDFA Communication Bundeshaus West 3003 Bern +41 58 460 55 55 [email protected]

Federal Department of Foreign Affairs of the Swiss Confederation published this content on January 27, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on January 27, 2026 at 14:31 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]