Residents of the Jaramana suburb in Damascus were shocked to discover a secret laboratory inside a heavily guarded state security facility after Islamist rebels overthrew Syrian dictator Bashar al-Assad in December. The site contained potentially toxic substances, explosives, and materials that could be used for drug production or chemical weapons.
The White Helmets, a volunteer organization, visited the facility and detected toxic materials using chemical agent detectors. While the lab appeared to be for research purposes, further investigation is needed to determine its exact nature.
Documents found at the site suggested a connection to the Assad regime's chemical weapons programs, despite previous claims of disposing all chemical weapons. The facility also housed improvised explosive devices and weapons manufacturing equipment.
Experts noted the presence of industrial chemicals and blistering agents, raising concerns about the potential misuse of these materials. The White Helmets embarked on a dangerous mission to secure and dispose of the chemicals, working tirelessly to prevent further contamination.
Concerns remain about Syria's illegal chemical weapons falling into the wrong hands, prompting the White Helmets to continue searching for similar sites. The team emphasized the global threat posed by these materials and called for united efforts to eliminate such risks.
