Türkiye’s United Nations envoy called on the international community on Thursday to maintain strong support for the elimination of Syria’s remaining chemical weapons, stressing that the task is both a legal obligation and a critical priority for regional security and humanitarian protection.
In a UN Security Council session, Ahmet Yildiz welcomed steps taken by Syria’s new authorities, noting that Syrians last month marked the first anniversary of their December 2024 liberation “with a sense of hope and optimism.” He acknowledged the Syrian government’s commitment to stability, governance, and citizens’ well-being.
“Much remains to be accomplished,” Yildiz said, emphasising that eliminating chemical weapons capabilities is a legal requirement under the Chemical Weapons Convention and a vital security and humanitarian imperative. He added that the Syrian government cannot complete the task alone due to the technical, operational, and financial complexities involved.
Yildiz urged the international community to seize an “historic opportunity” to provide long-term, sustained support, adding that Türkiye is ready to continue its assistance alongside the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW).
Addressing regional tensions, Yildiz warned that Israel’s airstrikes and hybrid military operations in Syria have damaged former chemical weapons sites, endangered civilians, and disrupted OPCW missions. He called on the international community to ensure such actions are restrained.
Chemical weapons use in Syria dates back to at least August 2013, when sarin gas attacks on Ghouta killed more than 1,400 people. Syria joined the OPCW later that year. Subsequent confirmed attacks in Al-Lataminah (2017) and Idlib (2018) led to partial suspension of Syria’s membership rights.
Since the departure of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, following nearly 25 years in power, Syria has been under new leadership, with President Ahmed al-Sharaa meeting OPCW officials in February 2025 to advance disarmament efforts.
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Saudi civil defence sent an all-clear on Saturday after issuing alerts for a second time for potential danger in Riyadh and the city of Al-Kharj east of the capital, amid an uptick in attacks by Iran-aligned Houthis on the Gulf country.
Houthi attacks target Riyadh amid concerns over Saudi oil supplies, as Iran says it will not reopen the Strait of Hormuz until its conditions are met and U.S. commitments are implemented, parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf said on Sunday.
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.7 billion military sale to Ukraine for air-defence development upgrades, along with related equipment and services, the department said. Meanwhile, Ukrainian authorities reported at least 10 people had died in Russian attacks over the last 24 hours.
The death toll from an overnight Russian attack on the Kyiv region rose to four, including three children, Kyiv regional authorities said on Sunday. A mother and her two 3-year-old children were killed when a Russian drone strike hit a private home, the emergency service said.
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday that additional news organisations could be barred from the White House, hours after announcing bans on CNN, MS NOW and Politico over coverage he described as “fake news”.
German voters cast ballots on Sunday in two state elections that could add to the political pressure on Chancellor Friedrich Merz, as his government faces growing public frustration and a resurgent far right.
Iraq has returned restricted airspace across the western part of the country to civilian authorities, ending limits imposed for military operations against Islamic State since 2016, the Transport Ministry said.
Denmark and Greenland have moved to reassure the public that their sovereignty will remain intact under a new security agreement with the United States.
World leaders are set to gather at the United Nations General Assembly in New York for several days of high-level debate, with Iran, Ukraine, artificial intelligence (AI) and a range of global crises expected to dominate discussions this week.
Ed Sheeran has broken his silence on the controversy surrounding his U.S. tour, apologising for decisions made after rapper Macklemore was removed from the line-up over his public support for Palestine.
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