U.S. Deputy Syria Envoy meets with North and East Syria Foreign Relations Commission to discuss political situation in region and OPCW report

ZALIN, Syria — U.S. Deputy Envoy for Syria David Brownstein visited the Foreign Relations Commission of the Democratic Autonomous Administration (DAA) of North and East Syria in the city of Zalin (Qamishli).

Brownstein spoke with Co-Chair of the Foreign Relations Commission Abdul Karim Omar about the general situation in Syria and in the areas governed by the DAA, and the importance of the role the U.S.-International Coalition plays in the political, economic, security, and humanitarian aspects in the region.

They also discussed the recent report of the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) which said there was overwhelming evidence that the Syrian regime was responsible for the use of chlorine gas against civilians. The U.S. State Department also said it hold the Syrian Government responsible for countless atrocities, some of which amounted to war crimes and crimes against humanity.

U.S State Department spokesperson Ned Price said in a statement that the U.S. agrees with the findings of the OPCW report and that the Syrian Government still has sufficient chemical material to use sarin gas. Damascus still maintains the capabilities to develop new chemical weapons, added Price.

The Syrian Government has also ignored international calls to unveil and destroy its entire military chemical program in a verifiable manner, said Price, who called on the international community to hold Damascus or anyone else who decides to use these horrific weapons accountable.