Syria Officially Acknowledges Possession of Nuclear Material, Vows to Retain It
For the first time, Syria has officially admitted to possessing nuclear material. Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani confirmed on August 26 that the regime holds nuclear material and intends to keep it under its control, cooperating with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). He emphasized Syria's right to use nuclear energy for peaceful civilian purposes and assured that the material would be securely stored under IAEA safeguards.
This admission follows a recent statement by Syria's Atomic Energy Authority indicating coordination with the IAEA to dismantle the previous regime's nuclear program, implicitly acknowledging the possession of nuclear material. The announcement comes amid heightened tensions after a mysterious airstrike last night targeted the runway at Abu al-Duhur military airport in Idlib province, northwest Syria. The U.S. publicly accused Israel of conducting the strike, which Israel has neither confirmed nor denied.
The Abu al-Duhur base is strategically located about 70 kilometers from Turkey and connects various regions within Syria. A senior Israeli source told Fox News that Israel shares sensitive intelligence with the U.S. and that Syrian President Ahmad Husayn al-Shara understands he cannot act like the former regime. U.S. envoy to Syria Tom Barrett condemned the Israeli airstrikes as unnecessary escalations that undermine regional stability and urged restraint and dialogue.
Syria strongly condemned the airstrike as an unjustified aggression violating its sovereignty and territorial integrity, warning it threatens regional security and stability. Syrian President Ahmad Husayn al-Shara recently expressed willingness to pursue a security agreement with Israel involving multiple countries, aiming for comprehensive peace without relinquishing Syria's claims to the occupied Golan Heights.
The developments highlight ongoing regional tensions and Syria's evolving stance on its nuclear capabilities and relations with Israel.
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