Snatched: Israeli commandos ‘nuclear’ raid (find North Korean "material" at Syrian base)

The Times of London ^ | September 23, 2007 | Uzi Mahnaimi, Tel Aviv, Sarah Baxter, Washington, and Michael Sheridan

[Clintonfatigued]

ISRAELI commandos from the elite Sayeret Matkal unit – almost certainly dressed in Syrian uniforms – made their way stealthily towards a secret military compound near Dayr az-Zawr in northern Syria. They were looking for proof that Syria and North Korea were collaborating on a nuclear programme.

Israel had been surveying the site for months, according to Washington and Israeli sources. President George W Bush was told during the summer that Israeli intelligence suggested North Korean personnel and nuclear-related material were at the Syrian site.

Israel was determined not to take any chances with its neighbour. Following the example set by its raid on an Iraqi nuclear reactor at Osirak 1981, it drew up plans to bomb the Syrian compound.

But Washington was not satisfied. It demanded clear evidence of nuclear-related activities before giving the operation its blessing. The task of the commandos was to provide it.

Today the site near Dayr az-Zawr lies in ruins after it was pounded by Israeli F15Is on September 6. Before the Israelis issued the order to strike, the commandos had secretly seized samples of nuclear material and taken them back into Israel for examination by scientists, the sources say. A laboratory confirmed that the unspecified material was North Korean in origin. America approved an attack.

News of the secret ground raid is the latest piece of the jigsaw to emerge about the mysterious Israeli airstrike. Israel has imposed a news blackout, but has not disguised its satisfaction with the mission. The incident also reveals the extent of the cooperation between America and Israel over nuclear-related security issues in the Middle East. The attack on what Israeli defence sources now call the “North Korean project” appears to be part of a wider, secret war against the nonconventional weapons ambitions of Syria and North Korea

[EGPWS]

Strong move by Israel.

Nonpolitical strength is the requirement these day's.

[EGPWS]

Is there really anyone who is surprised by this?

Too many who are surprised.

[BARLF]

I’m in shock and awe.......;))

[donnab]

Balls said the queen if I had them I would be king!
Sorry Hilliarity...Israel has them.

[hershey]

Indeed.

[rodguy911]

Now if we can just do the same thing in Iran(several thousand times)... the world will be a safer place. (Until next time)

[Karliner]

Funny, in between the new OJ blarney and the 'What's the Bimbo Britany doing now," Fox has posted 15 second sound bytes but that's about it. Of course if you look in Haaretz or the Jerusalem Post, this is all old news.

Kick **s and take numbers Sayeret because you're moving to fast to take names...bwahahahahaha, oh yeah, shalom!!

[AlphaOneAlpha]

“Here’s another Israeli triumph of survival.”

Yep, meanwhile the progressives,as they like to call themselves, in this country remain on a quest to breed American identity, self preservation and survival out of our populace.

[LaineyDee]

Since when has the IAF asked permission from anyone outside of command channels for ‘permission’?

I guess since we're their only viable ally .... and would readily back them up if they were attacked. We definitely have an "interest" and alot to lose if they goof up.

[genefromjersey]

Let me weigh in: two-syllable word; nitrogenous waste product,excreted by a bovine of male gender.Exclamation point.

1. If you planned to REMOVE nuclear materials, why would you follow up by bombing ?
2. Removing nuclear materials would be a considerable undertaking-even with the full cooperation and assistance of the Syrian government.
3. More likely conclusion: the bombing was conducted to destroy conventional war materiel being readied for shipment to Hezbollah,for use in Lebanon.

[Nachum]

1. If you planned to REMOVE nuclear materials, why would you follow up by bombing ?

a. To prove to the world what they are up to.
b. To destroy the facility before they have a chance to use it.

2. Removing nuclear materials would be a considerable undertaking-even with the full cooperation and assistance of the Syrian government.

The Israeli military is quite resourceful and fully capable of operations like this.

3. More likely conclusion: the bombing was conducted to destroy conventional war materiel being readied for shipment to Hezbollah,for use in Lebanon.

Not true. Anther conclusion might be:
Gaining justification for similar actions against Iran
a paractice run to go into Iran
Preparation for the United States to invade Iran or Syria (or both) after nuclear weapons are captured.

[Vinnie_Vidi_Vici]

A small strike force could not be expected to remove all of the nuclear material. I believe the intent was only to obtain a sample of that Material for analysis to confirm it's source, then they stuck around at a distance to "illuminate" the target so that the airstrike could destroy all that was left behind. Damn good job, I say!

Let me weigh in: two-syllable word; nitrogenous waste product,excreted by a bovine of male gender.Exclamation point. 1. If you planned to REMOVE nuclear materials, why would you follow up by bombing ? 2. Removing nuclear materials would be a considerable undertaking-even with the full cooperation and assistance of the Syrian government. 3. More likely conclusion: the bombing was conducted to destroy conventional war materiel being readied for shipment to Hezbollah,for use in Lebanon.

[genefromjersey]

Let’s say I continue to have my doubts !

[steve86]

Your post makes sense but I think somewhere in there was indeed, a nuclear angle.

[BerryDingle]

“1. If you planned to REMOVE nuclear materials, why would you follow up by bombing ?
2. Removing nuclear materials would be a considerable undertaking-even with the full cooperation and assistance of the Syrian government.”

All thats needed to be removed is a little proof.

[SE Mom]

~snip~

The attack on what Israeli defence sources now call the “North Korean project” appears to be part of a wider, secret war against the nonconventional weapons ambitions of Syria and North Korea

~snip~

Let’s pray this is true

[popdonnelly]

“I’ve not read this in any US press.”

Surprise, surprise. That’s why I don’t pay much attention to most of the U.S. press.

[gonzo]

“...The way the world is going, it’s just a matter of time!...”

Short time, too ................ FRegards

[MarkL]

I can’t imagine Americans in Israel hoping for a DemocRAT victory.

Unfortunately there are plenty of them... I swear the level of self delusion is amazing for leftist Americans who live in Israel. I've got a cousin who hates guns, is a hard core leftist, and since she still has her US citizenship votes dem. I've asked her how she feels about all those people carrying "machine guns" on the streets, yet she finds me disgusting because I own and shoot guns... Her response is simple: "They're in the army."

Unbelievable.

Mark

[MarkL]

Did Syria want to arm its own Scuds with a nuclear device?

Well just duh! Is there really anyone who is surprised by this? Anyone? (sound of crickets chirping, tumbleweed blows down the street)

Well, don't forget the "accident" in Syria from July that was recently reported by Janes. When there was an "accident" as technicians from Syria and Iran were mounting a LIVE chemical weapons warhead on a Scud. While I'm not a military expert, it seems to me that when one mounts a live binary chemical warhead on a missile, there's an intension to launch said warhead pretty soon.

Mark