Syria acknowledges chem, bio stockpiles- will use in 'external' attack

[Brihard]

http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/story/2...l-weapons.html

Sort of a big deal. States don't just spout off like this, and admitting you have chemical and biological weapons is a significant foreign policy decision.

I figured this deserves a thread of its own, since the potential ramifications extend well beyond the civil war.

[Exodia]

Thanks for posting Brian.

"All of these types of weapons are in storage and under security and the direct supervision of the Syrian armed forces, and will never be used unless Syria is exposed to external aggression."

Well that gives me a warm and fuzzy feeling.

[Potemkin]

Shame on China and Russia if they veto resolutions in the UN again.

[Catbird]

There were reports earlier this month that at least some chemical weapons were moved from their usual location (CNN report).

Yesterday, according to Business Week, both the U.S. and Israel made strong comments about the possibility of the weapons being used against Syrian Free Forces, or that they'd be allowed to fall under the control of Hezbollah.

And today, the spokesman for the Syrian Foreign Ministry acknowledged that Syrian does have chemical weapons.

From CBC News:

""No chemical or biological weapons will ever be used, and I repeat, will never be used, during the crisis in Syria no matter what the developments inside Syria," Makdissi said in news conference broadcast on Syrian state TV. "All of these types of weapons are in storage and under security and the direct supervision of the Syrian armed forces and will never be used unless Syria is exposed to external aggression."

While the statement Makdissi read out promised not to use the weapons against the Syrian people, he later noted that Damascus is not facing an internal enemy in the rebellion, which the regime has described as being funded from abroad and driven by foreign extremists."

I get the sense that U.S./Israeli intel has picked up on something new going on with the weapons.

ETA: And now this just came out, via Twitter:
"UN Chief Ban Ki Moon says 'very concerned Syria may be tempted to use chemical weapons' - @Reuters"

So, even more indications that Syria is trying to do something and they're being warned not to do it.

[CanadaSue]

Watch them redefine 'external' to suit their own purposes.

[Catbird]

AlArabiya is not the best source, and neither are reports from 'rebels', but this may explain what has been going on.

via Twitter

"Report: Syrian rebels say Assad has moved chemical weapons to borders - @AlArabiya_Eng"

[Sonny]

Chemical weapons? Syria 'backpedaling furiously' over weapons threats

Christian Science Monitor - ‎1 hour ago‎

One day after threatening to unleash chemical weapons if it were invaded, Syria denies having unconventional weapons, and says West is preparing an Iraq-style intervention.