IAEA said prepping to remove Syria nuclear material left over from Assad era
The International Atomic Energy Agency will soon remove nuclear material from clandestine facilities in Syria, after the White House reached understandings with Damascus and Israel, Axios reported on Tuesday.The report, which cited Israeli and US officials, said a “dramatic, behind-the-scenes exchange of threats and diplomacy” erupted months ago concerning the secret site, and was only resolved several weeks ago with an agreement to remove the material, possibly by the end of this year.In 2007, Israel bombed the al-Kibar reactor in Deir Ezzor, Syria, where then-president Bashar al-Assad was — according to Israeli, US, and IAEA assessments — building a secret nuclear weapons program.The attack, which Israel refused to comment on until 2018, is believed to have ended the regime’s efforts to build a nuclear weapon. However, some research-and-development and storage sites remained intact, according to Axios.Two Israeli officials told the outlet that a facility referred to as “Site 99” was…
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is preparing to remove nuclear material from clandestine facilities in Syria, following an agreement reached after a period of intense diplomatic activity and threats involving the White House, Damascus, and Israel. The material, including yellowcake, is believed to be leftover from a secret nuclear weapons program under then-President Bashar al-Assad, which Israel reportedly bombed in 2007. A facility known as "Site 99" was used to store this material. Israel had threatened to strike the site if the material was not removed. The Trump administration brought in the IAEA, which secured an agreement with the Syrian government three weeks ago. A US official stated, "kick off the removal process soon and end it before the end of the year."
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