On August 21, 2013, the Syrian government fired rockets loaded with sarin nerve gas into the rebel-held Ghouta district of Damascus, resulting in the infamous Ghouta gas attack that killed up to 1,400 people, including many children. Ten years later, it has been revealed that a scientist accused of helping Syria develop its chemical weapons program, Ahmad Haytham Alyafi, was traced to an Edmonton suburb in Canada. According to de-classified Canadian government documents, Alyafi had made “a significant contribution to the manufacturing of chemical weapons” while working at the military-run center for chemical weapons production for the Syrian regime from 1974 to 1994. The documents alleged that Alyafi had set up a plant to manufacture chemical weapons and played an “indispensable” role in their production. A Canadian Security Intelligence Service report further claimed that Alyafi was involved in the start-up phase of the pilot plant for chemical weapons. Alyafi’s application for permanent residence in Canada was rejected due to his “contributions to Syria’s chemical weapons program,” and he was deemed a security risk for the country. Alyafi challenged the decision in Federal Court and lost in 2021.
Edmonton linked to scientist accused of creating Syria’s chemical weapons program.
