Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

Skip to comments.

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

Posted on 09/23/2007 11:42:45 AM PDT by 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

(Excerpt) Read more at timesonline.co.uk ...


TOPICS: Foreign Affairs; Israel
KEYWORDS: israel; nknukes; northkorea; sayeretmatkal; sept62007; syria; wot
Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-69 next last
To: gonzo

I wonder if this is how it felt in 1939-40.


41 posted on 09/23/2007 2:51:25 PM PDT by dsc (There is no safety for honest men except by believing all possible evil of evil men. Edmund Burke)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 38 | View Replies]

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

I can’t imagine Jews in the US hoping for a DemocRAT victory.

42 posted on 09/23/2007 3:37:12 PM PDT by ol' hoghead (He is not here; for he is risen.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 11 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued
"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."

So.....our weenies are demanding Israel prove Syra desires them dead and is busily acquiring the materials to do just that!!!

What BS coming from these cowards inside our Defense, State AND Itelligence Depts!

43 posted on 09/23/2007 3:38:56 PM PDT by zerosix (<Native Sunflower>)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ol' hoghead

Do they suffer self hatred?


44 posted on 09/23/2007 3:46:08 PM PDT by FreeAtlanta (Search for Folding Project - Join FR Team 36120)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 42 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued
ISRAELI commandos from the elite Sayeret Matkal unit – almost certainly dressed in Syrian uniforms

One of the weaknesses of the military dictatorship. Everyone is terrified of people in military uniforms walking around.

Because authority is determined by personal agendas rather than a reliable chain of command, even other military can be intimidated by people dressed in uniforms giving the "don't you know who we are" vibe.

45 posted on 09/23/2007 4:07:08 PM PDT by denydenydeny (Expel the priest and you don't inaugurate the age of reason, you get the witch doctor--Paul Johnson)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: BerryDingle

Presumably, by now, any evidence gathered would have been presented to the world-complete with videos of the successful raid.

With all due respect to Israel, the IDF, and any other special forces they might use , I think the story given to (invented by ?) The Times is disinformation - pure and simple.

Set aside emotional responses for a few moments, and imagine you are the S-3 officer who has to plan this raid.
Get yourself a good map, a lot of Google photos, some basic grasp of what forces are defending your objective, etc., and come up with a workable plan.


46 posted on 09/23/2007 4:08:28 PM PDT by genefromjersey (So much to flame;so little time !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: SunkenCiv

...ping


47 posted on 09/23/2007 4:11:03 PM PDT by Seadog Bytes (OPM - The Liberal 'solution' to every societal problem. (Other People's Money))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: genefromjersey
If Project Orchard was really about blowing apart anything other than what Syria's supposed to have, don't you think there would be ten thousand foaming arabs at the UN screaming for Israel's head? Instead, crickets and tumbleweeds.


48 posted on 09/23/2007 4:14:52 PM PDT by txhurl (Yes there were WMDs)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 46 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

bump


49 posted on 09/23/2007 4:51:42 PM PDT by blam (Secure the border and enforce the law)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: genefromjersey; Nachum
"Let’s say I continue to have my doubts !"

I don't...something serious, perhaps even stunning did happen.

"Meanwhile, Newsweek quoted Binyamin Netanyahu adviser Uzi Arad as saying, "I do know what happened, and when it comes out it will stun everyone."

50 posted on 09/23/2007 4:56:40 PM PDT by blam (Secure the border and enforce the law)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 33 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued

Did the US first ask Pelosi’s and Reid’s and Kucinich’s and Rockefeller’s permission before passing it on to the Israelis? Bwahahahaha, democraps haven’t got a darn clue what a dangerous place the Middle East is! God have mercy upon US if we allow these bastards to hold all three branches of the government.


51 posted on 09/23/2007 5:05:16 PM PDT by MHGinTN (If you can read this, you've had life support. Defend life support for others in the womb.)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: ASOC

I think there were B2’s with super penetrators involved.


52 posted on 09/23/2007 5:09:22 PM PDT by BillM
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 8 | View Replies]

To: Seadog Bytes; AdmSmith; Berosus; Convert from ECUSA; dervish; Ernest_at_the_Beach; Fred Nerks; ...
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.
Dhimmicrats in Congress are demanding a new intelligence assessment on Dayr az-Zawr.

Thanks SeadogB.
53 posted on 09/23/2007 5:32:17 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Profile updated Wednesday, September 12, 2007. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: blam

I’ll wait for the movie, thanks !


54 posted on 09/23/2007 5:36:52 PM PDT by genefromjersey (So much to flame;so little time !)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 50 | View Replies]

To: dennisw; Cachelot; Nix 2; veronica; Catspaw; knighthawk; Alouette; Optimist; weikel; Lent; GregB; ..
If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]

----------------------------

55 posted on 09/23/2007 5:39:24 PM PDT by SJackson (isolationism never was, never will be acceptable response to[expansionist] tyrannical governments)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

more:

Israel, U.S. shared data on suspected nuclear site: report
Reuters | Fri Sep 21 | Reuters
Posted on 09/21/2007 8:13:27 AM EDT by indcons
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1900044/posts


56 posted on 09/23/2007 5:40:33 PM PDT by SunkenCiv (Profile updated Wednesday, September 12, 2007. https://secure.freerepublic.com/donate/)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 1 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued
"Here’s another Israeli triumph of survival."

Kodos to them, the only ally who we can allways count on.

57 posted on 09/23/2007 6:35:46 PM PDT by #1CTYankee (That's right, I have no proof. So what of it??)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 3 | View Replies]

To: Clintonfatigued; SunkenCiv

58 posted on 09/23/2007 7:29:02 PM PDT by Seadog Bytes (OPM - The Liberal 'solution' to every societal problem. (Other People's Money))
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 2 | View Replies]

To: BerryDingle
....."All thats needed to be removed is a little proof."....

After the WMD fiasco in Iraq, everyone will have to have a glowing hot sample with NK stamped on it to make a hit anywhere.

I'm sure, in time, the proof will be plopped on a table right before the "shock and awe" begins. That way we won't have to prove nuttin when the dust settles.

59 posted on 09/23/2007 7:42:33 PM PDT by chuckles
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 35 | View Replies]

To: BillM

Can you souce that?

I have not heard anything about the USAF being a player - just F15(I) Strike Eagles - more than enough to do the job.

THX


60 posted on 09/23/2007 11:07:35 PM PDT by ASOC (Yeah, well, maybe - but can you *prove* it?)
[ Post Reply | Private Reply | To 52 | View Replies]


Navigation: use the links below to view more comments.
first previous 1-2021-4041-6061-69 next last

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.

Free Republic
Browse · Search
News/Activism
Topics · Post Article

FreeRepublic, LLC, PO BOX 9771, FRESNO, CA 93794
FreeRepublic.com is powered by software copyright 2000-2008 John Robinson