The mission was launched by the United Nations in conjunction with the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW). The aim is to destroy Syria’s chemical weapons. The first step will be to neutralise the hazardous materials on board the MV Cape Ray. A German naval unit will escort the American vessel in the Mediterranean.

The German government’s proposal provides for the deployment of up to 300 soldiers. The mandate would run until the need for an escort is longer given, but no later than 31 December 2014. The mandate must still be approved by the German Bundestag.

Germany’s engagement goes further

Germany has a great interest in ensuring that the transport and destruction of Syria’s chemical agents is successful and secure. The mission is part of a more extensive measure to support the destruction of Syrian chemical weapons.

These include the offer made to the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons, to finally destroy the materials in Germany. Some 370 tonnes of waste from the hydrolysis process will be taken to GEKA, a body specialised in the disposal of chemical warfare agents and hazardous military waste in the Lower Saxon town of Münster, where they will be professionally and safely disposed of.

Germany has also provided financial assistance for the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. German research institutes and laboratories were involved in evaluating chemical weapons samples from Syria.

The duties of the Bundeswehr

A German frigate is to escort and protect the American vessel on which hydrolysis is to be conducted. It will be on duty during the hydrolysis itself and during transit across the Mediterranean Sea. If necessary it can also be deployed in the North Atlantic and the bordering maritime areas in international waters.

The escort is designed to counter potential threats above and under the sea and from the air. German forces will monitor maritime traffic, as well as monitoring the sea and airspace, and producing imagery of the situation in and above the sea.

Chemical neutralisation of hazardous warfare agents
Syria’s chemical weapons are to be neutralised within the scope of a joint UN/OPCW mission. This will involve a process of hydrolysis which is to be carried out aboard a specially fitted American vessel, the MV Cape Ray. During hydrolysis, the chemical agents will be neutralised within a closed system by adding water and other substances, rendering them useless as weapons.
The waste product is comparable to other waste generated in the chemical industry. It is incinerated on a larger scale by specialised companies. One such specialist in Germany is GEKA in Münster, which specialises in disposing of chemical warfare agents and hazardous military waste.

Syria must cooperate

The operation will not begin before mid-April. A period of 90 days has been planned for the hydrolysis procedure itself. The concrete start of the mission will depend on Syria’s willingness to cooperate on the transport of the chemical weapons.

Agreement between USA and Russia suspended

In response to the use of chemical weapons in Syria in August 2013, a framework agreement was concluded between the USA and the Russian Federation. A special regime was agreed for the accelerated destruction of Syria’s chemical weapons.

Against the background of the Crimean crisis, plans for the originally intended joint operation were suspended within the scope of the NATO-Russia Council on 3 March 2014.

Military protection for the hydrolysis procedure remains necessary. According to the UN resolution, the chemical weapons are to be destroyed by 30 June 2014. So as not to jeopardise this deadline, the USA sought support within the scope of a multinational escort operation as an alternative.

The basis in international law is Resolution 2118 (2013) of the United Nations Security Council adopted on 27 September 2013. It calls on members states to help support and protect the joint mission of the UN and the OPCW.