Syrian rebel leader says he’s working with international groups to secure potential chemical weapons sites

Syrian rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, better known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani, tells Reuters that the group he leads, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), is working with international organizations to secure possible sites where chemical weapons may be located.

The group had already said that it will not use those weapons under any circumstances.

Shaara says in a written statement shared exclusively with Reuters by his office that the group is now working to “dissolve the security forces of the previous regime and close the notorious prison,” where the regime of toppled dictator Bashar al-Assad is estimated to have held tens of thousands of detainees.

He reiterates that he will form a government of technocrats. The current transitional government is set to rule until March 2025, according to a statement by his group.

The Pentagon, in response, says the US welcomes his comments about securing potential chemical weapons sites, but cautions that “actions have to meet words as well.”