Fact-Finding Mission

The FFM is required to study available information relating to allegations of use of chemical weapons in Syria, including information provided by the Syrian Arab Republic and others. 

Since May 2014, the OPCW has deployed the FFM on numerous occasions to the Syrian Arab Republic and outside of Syria and has kept States Parties informed of its work. The FFM interviews witnesses and obtains samples and physical evidence for analysis. 

In 2015, the OPCW Executive Council and the UN Security Council endorsed the continual operation of the FFM. 

Since its establishment, the FFM has looked into several incidents of allegations of use of chemical weapons in Syria. The FFM has confirmed with “high degree of confidence” that Chlorine and Mustard were used as weapons in Syria. These reports were submitted to States Parties of the CWC and the UN Security Council.

The FFM’s findings were the basis for the work of the OPCW-UN Joint Investigative Mechanism (JIM), an independent body established by the UN Security Council (Resolution 2235, 7 August 2015). The JIM’s purpose was to identify the perpetrators of the chemical weapon attacks confirmed by the Fact Finding Mission. The JIM’s mandate expired in November 2017.