The Pentagon has stated that the US is actively working with partners on the ground in Syria to prevent chemical weapons from the toppled Assad regime from falling into the wrong hands. Deputy Pentagon press secretary Sabrina Singh emphasized the importance of ensuring that these chemical weapons do not end up being used against civilians, US forces, or regional partners. While the exact scale of the remaining chemical weapons in Syria was not disclosed, Singh mentioned that the US, through its partners, is focused on safeguarding these weapons.
There are currently no US forces engaged in actively searching for these chemical weapons, and Singh did not confirm whether the US was providing intelligence to other groups to locate them. The Biden administration has highlighted the elimination of any remaining chemical weapons in Syria as a top priority following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime.
Despite the recent developments in Syria, the force posture of the approximately 900 US service members in the country remains unchanged. The US has not had direct communication with Hayat Tahrir Al-Sham (HTS), the rebel group central to the regime's overthrow, but has established channels through counterparts and other groups to convey messages.
Furthermore, the US has maintained communication with Russia through the deconfliction line in Syria, with the most recent exchange occurring on Sunday. The nature of this conversation was not disclosed, but it is known that Bashar al-Assad and his family have sought refuge in Russia, a key ally of the toppled regime.
In conclusion, Singh described the fall of the Assad regime as a significant moment of justice. The US continues to work diligently with its partners to prevent the misuse of chemical weapons and maintain stability in the region.
