The international effort to eliminate Syria's chemical weapons primarily emerged after a notable chemical attack in Ghouta in August 2013. Following this, the Syrian government admitted to possessing a chemical arsenal and committed to joining the Chemical Weapons Convention. Subsequently, an agreement was reached between Russia and the United States, alongside the Organization for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), to ensure that Syria's chemical weapons stockpiles were destroyed.

On June 23, 2014, the final shipment of Syria's declared chemical weapons left its borders, signaling a critical moment in the country's compliance with international disarmament obligations. This shipment, which included various toxic agents, was conducted under stringent safety protocols and supervision from international inspectors. The materials were transported from the Syrian port of Latakia to the United States for destruction, marking the conclusion of a rigorous process of verification and extraction that spanned several months amidst an ongoing civil war.

The successful shipment was celebrated internationally, reinforcing the global stance against the use of chemical weapons and illustrating the potential effectiveness of diplomatic negotiations even in the midst of intense conflict. However, there continued to be concerns over undisclosed weapon stockpiles and the ongoing violence, raising questions about the complete vindication of Syria's disarmament.