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Israel admits striking Syrian nuclear reactor in 2007

Previously, Syria has denied that the bombed side was a nuclear reactor

Ersin Çelik
11:52 - 21/03/2018 Wednesday
Update: 11:53 - 21/03/2018 Wednesday
AA
A combination image shows screen grabs taken from video material released on March 21, 2018 which the Israeli military describes as an Israeli air strike on a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor site near Deir al-Zor on Sept 6, 2007. Top row: The site before the attack (L), yellow circles depicting bombs during the air strike on the site (R). Bottom row: An explosion during the air strike on the site (L), debris seen on the site after the attack (R).
A combination image shows screen grabs taken from video material released on March 21, 2018 which the Israeli military describes as an Israeli air strike on a suspected Syrian nuclear reactor site near Deir al-Zor on Sept 6, 2007. Top row: The site before the attack (L), yellow circles depicting bombs during the air strike on the site (R). Bottom row: An explosion during the air strike on the site (L), debris seen on the site after the attack (R).

Israel’s military has officially admitted it bombed a suspected nuclear reactor in northeastern Syria in 2007.

In a statement on Wednesday, the army said Israeli warplanes struck the facility in Deir al-Zour desert on September 5-6 2007.

“The operation was carried out after complex intelligence efforts by dropping 17 tons of explosives using laser-guided bombs,” it said.

The Israeli army said that the suspected reactor “was close to being completed”.

Several Israeli media outlets published recordings and photographs of the Israeli attack on the Syrian facility.

According to Haaretz daily, the reactor was discovered by chance after five years of construction by the Syrians with the help of North Korea.

There was no comment from the Syrian regime on the Israeli admission.

Previously, Syria has denied that the bombed side was a nuclear reactor.

Last month, Israeli warplanes carried out airstrikes against Syrian and Iranian military targets in war-torn Syria.

#attack
#Israel
#nuclear reactor
#Syria
6 years ago