Syria and weapons of mass destruction

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Syria has allegedly researched, and manufactured weapons of mass destruction.

Contents

History [edit]

On July 23, 2012 Syria admitted to possessing a stockpile of chemical weapons which it claims are reserved for national defense against foreign countries.[1] During the Syrian civil war in August 2012, the Syrian military restarted chemical weapons testing at a base on the outskirts of Aleppo.[2][3] Chemical weapons were a major point of discussion between the Syrian government and world leaders, with military intervention being considered by the West as a potential consequence of the use of such weapons.[4]

Chemical Weapons [edit]

Western non-governmental organizations have stated they believe Syria has an active chemical weapons program.[5][6][7][8] Syria is not a party to the Chemical Weapons Convention, though it denied that it had chemical weapons[9] until admitting it possessed such weapons in 2012.[10] Syria is one of six states that have not signed and eight that have not ratified the Chemical Weapons Convention.[11] Syria reportedly manufactures Sarin, Tabun, VX, and mustard gas types of chemical weapons.[12] Independent assessments indicate that Syrian production could be up to a combined total of a few hundred tons of chemical agent per year.[13] (To provide context for this estimate, 190,000 tons were manufactured by World War I participants.[14])

Facilities [edit]

Syrian chemical weapons production facilities have been identified by Western nonproliferation experts at approximately 5 sites, plus one suspected weapons base:[15]

2007 explosion [edit]

Main article: July 2007 Syrian arms depot explosion

In July 2007, a Syrian arms depot exploded, killing at least 15 Syrians. Jane's Defence Weekly, a U.S. magazine reporting on military and corporate affairs, believed that the explosion happened when Iranian and Syrian military personnel attempted to fit a Scud missile with a mustard gas warhead. Syria stated that the blast was accidental and not chemical related.[16]

Syrian civil war [edit]

In July 2012, a spokesman for the foreign ministry indicated that it would use chemical and biological weapons if Syria were attacked by foreign powers during the Syrian civil war. The same spokesman also said that Syria would never use these weapons against Syrian citizens.[10] It later emerged that the Syrian military had restarted testing of chemical weapons at a base on the outskirts of Aleppo in August.[17][18] Major-General Adnan Sillu subsequently stated that prior to his defection, he had been involved in high level talks in which the Syrian government came up with plans to use chemical weapons upon both civilians and opposition forces in important areas, mentioning Aleppo specifically.[19] In early December 2012, Captain Abdul-Salam Abdul-Razzaq, a Syrian army defector who was part of the al-Assad military's "Chemical Weapons Department", said "the regime has already used this kind of weapon, albeit in a limited manner, namely in Baba Amr last year. The regime also threatened to use chemical weapons in al-Zabadani, distributing gas masks and radiation suits to its troops."[20]

On 28 September 2012, U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta stated that the Syrian regime had moved its chemical weapons in order to "secure" them.[21] Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Russia had helped establish contact between the United States and Syria, through which Syria had provided "explanations and assurances" of the security of its chemical weapons facilities.[22] In early December 2012, U.S. President Barack Obama expressed "increased concern" over the Syrian government's apparent preparation of its chemical weapons for use, a concern echoed by British Foreign Secretary William Hague. U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton warned that such use was a "red line" that would lead to U.S. action.[23][24]

On 22 December 2012, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Syria had consolidated chemical weapons into one or two places to prevent rebels capturing them, and that recent moves that had alarmed Western governments were part of this consolidation.[25][26]

A Syrian defector who worked inside the chemical weapons network has alleged that two senior Syrian officers moved about 100 kg. of chemical weapons materials from a secret military base in Nasiriyah in January 2012. The Syrian source also described construction of special trucks, which could transport and mix the weapons. These mobile mixers were constructed inside Mercedes or Volvo trucks that were similar to refrigerator trucks. Inside were storage tanks, pipes and a motor to drive the mixing machinery, the defector said.[27]

There have been multiple unconfirmed reports of chemical weapons use in Syria, possibly 3-Quinuclidinyl benzilate which is generally non-fatal.[28][29] However in response to these reports U.S. National Security Council spokesman stated "The reporting we have seen from media sources regarding alleged chemical weapons incidents in Syria has not been consistent with what we believe to be true about the Syrian chemical weapons program".[30] In December 2012, Syrian forces, following the advice of Russian military advisers, concentrated their stockpiles of chemical weapons into two to four main storage areas for reasons of security and safety.[31][32]

On 19 March 2013, the Syrian government and Syrian rebels accused one another of using chemical weapons in an attack in the province of Aleppo.[33][34] Syrian state television and the government of Russia both blame the rebels for the chemical weapon attack.[33][34] Reports indicated between 15 and 40 deaths.[33] An unnamed Reuters photographer described the gas as having a "chlorine like smell" and said that he saw victims suffocating.[33] Rebels allege that a SCUD missile was used to deliver the agent, while the Syrian Information Minister blamed the rebels for the attack;[33][35][36] neither side presented clear evidence for its claims.[34] According to a spokesman for the Free Syrian Army, the attack occurred in rebel territory,[37] though Reuters photographs showed images of Syrian government soldiers injured in the attack.[33][34] Senior American officials said that the Syrian rebels do not have the capability to launch chemical weapons, and were skeptical that weapons had been used.[33][34]

Biological Weapons [edit]

The site at Cerin is also associated with an active biological weapons research and production program.
According to NATO Consultant Dr Jill Dekker, Syria has worked on: anthrax, plague, tularemia, botulinium, smallpox, aflotoxin, cholera, ricin and camelpox, and has used Russian help in installing anthrax in missile warheads. She also stated "they view their bio-chemical arsenal as part of a normal weapons program".[38]

Nuclear Program [edit]

Syria
Location of Syria
Nuclear program start date 1979[39]
First nuclear weapon test None
First fusion weapon test None
Last nuclear test None
Largest yield test None
Total tests None
Peak stockpile None
Current stockpile None
Maximum missile range Scud-D (700km)
NPT signatory Yes

Syria is a party to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and maintains a civil nuclear program. On September 6, 2007, Israel unilaterally bombed a site in Syria which it believed had hosted a nuclear reactor under construction. U.S. intelligence officials claimed low confidence that the site was meant for weapons development.[40] Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has said the site in discussion was just "a military site under construction"[41] and that Syria's goal is a nuclear-free Middle East.[42] Syria allowed the IAEA to visit the site on June 23, 2008, taking environmental samples that revealed the presence of man-made uranium and other materials consistent with a reactor. On May 24, 2011, IAEA Director General Amano released a report which assessed that the destroyed facility was a reactor, and the IAEA Board of Governors voted 17-6 (with 11 abstentions) to report this as non-compliance to the UN Security Council.

Open nuclear programs [edit]

Syria is a signatory to the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and has repeatedly attempted to purchase small research type nuclear reactors from China, Russia, Argentina, or other countries. Despite these purchases being openly disclosed and IAEA monitored, international pressure has caused all these reactor purchases to be cancelled. Syria has open and IAEA monitored nuclear research programs including a Chinese made non-reactor miniature neutron source.[39]

On November 26, 2008 the IAEA Board of Governors approved technical aid for Syria despite Western allegations that the country had a secret atomic program that could eventually be used to make weapons. China, Russia and developing nations, criticized Western "political interference" that they said undermined the IAEA's programme to foster civilian atomic energy development.[43] The top U.N. nuclear official also strongly rebuked Western powers for trying to deny the request, saying this shouldn't be done without evidence and merely on the existence of an investigation.[44]

Alleged nuclear reactor [edit]

Satellite photo of the destroyed site
Intelligence photo of the alleged reactor vessel under construction
Intelligence photo of the alleged reactor head and fuel channels under construction

Bombing of alleged reactor [edit]

On September 6, 2007, Israel bombed an officially unidentified site in Syria which it believed had been a nuclear reactor under construction.[45] It was further claimed that the nuclear reactor was not yet operational and no nuclear material had been introduced into it.[46] Top U.S. intelligence officials claimed low confidence that the site was meant for weapons development, noting that there was no reprocessing facility at the site.[40]

Western press reports asserted that the Israeli air strike followed a shipment delivery to Syria by a North Korean freighter, and that North Korea was suspected to be supplying a reactor to Syria for a nuclear weapons program.[47] On October 24, 2007 the Institute for Science and International Security released a report which identified a site in eastern Syria's Deir ez-Zor Governorate province as the suspected reactor. The report speculated about similarities between the Syrian building and North Korea's Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center, but said that it was too early to make a definitive comparison.[48] On October 25, 2007, Western media said the main building and any debris from it following the air strike had been completely dismantled and removed by the Syrians.[49]

After refusing to comment on the reports for six months, the Bush administration briefed Congress and the IAEA on April 24, 2008, saying that the U.S. Government was "convinced" that Syria had been building a "covert nuclear reactor" that was "not intended for peaceful purposes."[50] The briefing included releases of satellite photographs of the bombed site and overhead and ground level intelligence photographs of the site under construction, including the alleged reactor vessel steel shell before concrete was poured and of the alleged reactor head structure.[51]

Reaction to allegations [edit]

On June 23, 2008, IAEA inspectors were allowed to visit the Dair Alzour site (also referred to as Al Kibar), and take samples of the debris. On November 19, 2008 an IAEA report stated that "a significant number of natural uranium particles" produced as a result of chemical processing were found at the Al Kibar site;[52] however, the IAEA did not find sufficient evidence to prove Syria is developing nuclear weapons.[53] Some American nuclear experts have speculated about similarities between the alleged Syrian reactor and North Korea's Yongybon reactor[54] but IAEA Director General ElBaradei has pointed out that "there was uranium but it doesn't mean there was a reactor".[55] ElBaradei has shown dissatisfaction with the United States and Israel for only providing the IAEA with photos of the bombed facility in Syria,[56] and has also urged caution against prematurely judging Syria's atomic program by reminding diplomats about false U.S. claims that Saddam Hussein had weapons of mass destruction.[57] Russia, China, Iran, and non-aligned countries have also supported giving Syria nuclear guidance despite pressure from the United States.[57]

Joseph Cirincione, an expert on nuclear proliferation and head of the Washington-based Ploughshares Fund, commented "we should learn first from the past and be very cautious about any intelligence from the US about other country's weapons."[58] Syria has denounced "the fabrication and forging of facts" in regards to the incident.[59]

IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei criticized the strikes and deplored that information regarding the matter had not been shared with his agency earlier.[40] Syria has declined to let the IAEA visit other military sites the United States recently made allegations about, arguing it fears that too much openness on its part would encourage the U.S. to push for years of relentless international scrutiny.[60] Syria has said it will voluntarily cooperate with the IAEA further if it isn't "at the expense of disclosing our military sites or causing a threat to our national security."[61]

The Non-Aligned Movement has called for the establishment of a nuclear weapons free zone in the Middle East and called for a comprehensive multilaterally negotiated instrument which prohibits threats of attacks on nuclear facilities devoted to peaceful uses of nuclear energy.[62] The Gulf Cooperation Council has also appealed for a nuclear weapons free Middle East and recognition of the right of a country to expertise in the field of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes.[63] The IAEA has also approved a resolution urging all Middle East nations to renounce atomic bombs.[64]

IAEA non-compliance finding [edit]

For nearly three years, Syria refused the IAEA requests for further information on or access to the Dair Alzour site. On May 24, 2011, IAEA Director General Amano released a report concluding that the destroyed building was "very likely" a nuclear reactor, which Syria was required to declare under its NPT safeguards agreement.[65] On June 9, 2011, the IAEA Board of Governors found that this constituted non-compliance, and reported that non-compliance to the UN Security Council.[66] The vote was 17-6, with 11 abstentions.[67]

Delivery systems [edit]

In addition to potential aircraft and artillery delivery systems, Syria has several hundred Scud model B, C, and D missiles and SS-21 missiles.

International Partnerships [edit]

United States diplomatic cables revealed that two Indian firms aided Syrian chemical and biological weapons makers in trying to obtain Australia Group-controlled equipment.[68][69] One cable stated that India "has a general obligation as a Chemical Weapons Convention State Party to never, under any circumstances, assist anyone in the development of chemical weapons".[69]

In 2012, Iranian and North Korean officials and scientists were brought to bases and testing areas to aid in the development and use of chemical weapons.[2]

See also [edit]

  • Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center, The Syrian government agency and industrial complex, which according to security analysts and western intelligence agencies, is responsible for developing and manufacturing non-conventional weapons.[70]

References [edit]

  1. ^ MacFarquhar, Neil (2012-07-23). "Syria Says Chemical Arms Reserved for Attack From Abroad". New York Times. Retrieved 2012-07-23. 
  2. ^ a b "Syria Tested Chemical Weapons Systems, Witnesses Say". Der Spiegel. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012. 
  3. ^ "Report: Syria tested chemical weapons delivery systems in August". Haaretz. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012. 
  4. ^ "France warns of Syrian chemical weapons attack". Associated Press. 3 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012. 
  5. ^ Syria Special Weapons Guide at globalsecurity.org, accessed October 24, 2007.
  6. ^ Syria Profile at the Nuclear Threat Initiative, accessed October 24, 2007.
  7. ^ Syria and WMD Incentives and Capabilities, Syria Magnus Normark, Anders Lindblad, Anders Norqvist, Björn Sandström, Louise Waldenström, Swedish Defense Research Agency report FOI-R--1290--SE, June 2004, ISSN 1650-1942
  8. ^ Blair, Charles (March 1, 2012). "Fearful of a Nuclear Iran? The Real WMD Nightmare is Syria". Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists. Retrieved April 10, 2012. 
  9. ^ BBC: Syria denounces US 'lies'
  10. ^ a b Syria says it will use chemical weapons if attacked Associated Press 23 July 2012
  11. ^ "Non-Member States". Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons. Retrieved 12 November 2012. 
  12. ^ Syria Chemical Weapons at globalsecurity.org, accessed October 24, 2007.
  13. ^ http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/jpost/access/1336965581.html?dids=1336965581:1336965581&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&date=Sep+11%2C+2007&author=YAAKOV+KATZ&pub=Jerusalem+Post&desc=Ministry+holds+off+on+gas+mask+distribution.+Fears+move+could+be+interpreted+as+preparation+for+war&pqatl=google
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  15. ^ Pike, John (2011). "Special Weapons Facilities". Archived from the original on 2011-05-25. Retrieved 2007-10-24. 
  16. ^ The Sunday Herald: HOW CLOSE WERE WE TO A THIRD WORLD WAR? What really happened when
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  18. ^ "Report: Syria tested chemical weapons delivery systems in August". Haaretz. 17 September 2012. Retrieved 18 September 2012. 
  19. ^ "Syrian rebels take third border crossing to Turkey". Reuters. 19 September 2012. Retrieved 19 September 2012. 
  20. ^ "Assad regime distributed gas masks and radiation suits to troops". Asharq-Alawsat. 6 December 2012. Retrieved 8 December 2012. 
  21. ^ "Syria 'moving chemical weapons to safety' – Panetta". BBC. 28 September 2012. Retrieved 25 October 2012. 
  22. ^ "Russia helps U.S., Syria establish contact, Turkey in shock". The Hindu. 29 September 2012. Retrieved 30 September 2012. 
  23. ^ "Obama Administration Warns Syria Against Using Chemical Weapons". New York Times. 3 December 2012. Retrieved 3 December 2012. 
  24. ^ "William Hague: Britain has evidence that Assad preparing chemical weapons for use in Syria". The Telegraph. 8 December 2012. Retrieved 11 December 2012. 
  25. ^ "Syria's Chemical Weapons 'Safe for Now'". RIA Novosti. 22 December 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2012. 
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  27. ^ "A defector’s account of Syrian chemical weapons on the move". Washington Post. 18 December 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2012. 
  28. ^ "HSyrian rebels claim recent alleged chemical attack not the first". The Times of Israel. 25 December 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012. 
  29. ^ "Here's What The 'Agent-15' Chemical Doctors Say Was Used In Syria Does To People". Business Insider. 24 December 2012. Retrieved 28 December 2012. 
  30. ^ "U.S. plays down media report that Syria used chemical weapons". Reuters. 16 January 2013. Retrieved 28 January 2013. 
  31. ^ http://www.aljazeera.com/news/middleeast/2012/12/201212221532021654.html Syria 'secures chemical weapons stockpile' 23 Dec 2012
  32. ^ http://blogs.aljazeera.com/topic/syria/israel-vows-syria-strike-any-sign-chemical-arms-transfer Israel vows Syria strike at any sign of chemical arms transfer January 28, 2013
  33. ^ a b c d e f g Oliver Holmes, Oliver Holmes; Oliver Holmes, Erika Solomon, Additional reporting by Dominic Evans, Khaled Yacoub Oweis in Amman, Frerik Dahl in Vienna, Stephanie Nebehay in Geneva, Mohammed Abbas in London and Gabriela Baczynska in Moscow; Writing by Alistair Lyon; Editing by Michael Roddy (19 March 2013). "Alleged chemical attack kills 25 in northern Syria". Reuters. Retrieved 19 March 2013. 
  34. ^ a b c d e Barnard, Anne (19 March 2013). "Syria and Activists Trade Charges on Chemical Weapons". The New York Times. Retrieved 19 March 2013. 
  35. ^ http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-202_162-57575054/syria-rebels-and-regime-blame-each-other-for-1st-alleged-chemical-weapons-attack/ Syria rebels and regime blame each other for the first alleged chemical weapons attack on 19 March 2013
  36. ^ http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/03/19/174717836/dueling-claims-in-syria-after-unconfirmed-reports-about-chemical-weapons Dueling Claims In Syria After Unconfirmed Reports About Chemical Weapons March 19, 2013
  37. ^ http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/19/world/meast/syria-civil-war/index.html?hpt=hp_t1
  38. ^ "Syria's Bio-Warfare Threat: an interview with Dr. Jill Dekker". New English Review. Retrieved 16 July 2012. 
  39. ^ a b Syria - Nuclear Weapons Programs at globalsecurity.org, accessed October 24, 2007.
  40. ^ a b c IAEA slams U.S. for withholding data on alleged Syrian nuclear reactor
  41. ^ AFP (04/27/2008): Syria president denies building nuclear reactor
  42. ^ Daiji Sadamori, “Assad: Syria Not Seeking to be Nuclear State,” Asahi Shimbun, 27 October 2006
  43. ^ METimes: IAEA seeks compromise over Syrian nuclear aid issue: diplomats
  44. ^ Nuclear Threat Initiative: ElBaradei Lashes Critics of Syrian Nuclear Aid Request
  45. ^ 6 September 2007 Air strike at globalsecurity.org, accessed October 24, 2007.
  46. ^ IAEA: Statement by IAEA Director General Mohamed ElBaradei regarding Syria
  47. ^ N. Korea, Syria May Be at Work on Nuclear Facility, Glenn Kessler, Washington Post, Thursday, September 13, 2007; Page A12
  48. ^ SUSPECT REACTOR CONSTRUCTION SITE IN EASTERN SYRIA: THE SITE OF THE SEPTEMBER 6 ISRAELI RAID?, David Albright and Paul Brannan, October 23, 2007
  49. ^ Photos Show Cleansing of Suspect Syrian Site, William J. Broad and Mark Mazzetti, New York Times, accessed October 25, 2007.
  50. ^ Statement by the Press Secretary
  51. ^ Cryptome: Syrian Alleged and North Korean Reactor Photos
  52. ^ IAEA: Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic (November 19, 2008)
  53. ^ Xinhua: IAEA finds insufficient evidence for Syria's nuclear weapons development
  54. ^ Warrick, Joby (2008-11-19). "Bombed Syrian Site Appears to Have Been Nuclear Reactor". Washington Post. Retrieved 2008-11-19. 
  55. ^ BBC: Syria nuclear clues 'not damning'
  56. ^ Xinhua News: "IAEA chief: Report on Syrian nuclear plans needs more time"
  57. ^ a b Star Tribune: UN nuclear agency chief urges caution against Syria by recalling false claims against Iraq
  58. ^ The Guardian: US claims North Korea helped build Syria reactor plant
  59. ^ Syria rejects U.S. allegations on existence of nuclear activities
  60. ^ Diplomats: Syria to Block IAEA From Probing Suspected Nuclear Sites
  61. ^ BBC: Syria rebuffs nuclear inspectors
  62. ^ XV Ministerial Conference of the Non-Aligned Movement (July 2008): Statement on the Islamic Republic of Iran's Nuclear Issue
  63. ^ The Closing Statement Of the Twenty-Seventh Session of the Supreme Council of the Cooperation Council for the Arab States of the Gulf (December 2006)
  64. ^ International Herald Tribune: IAEA calls for non-nuclear Mideast in heated vote
  65. ^ GOV/2011/30, Implementation of the NPT Safeguards Agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic, Report by the Director General, May 24, 2011.
  66. ^ GOV/2011/41, Implementation of the NPT safeguards agreement in the Syrian Arab Republic, Resolution adopted by the Board of Governors on 9 June 2011.
  67. ^ IAEA Refers Syria To Security Council, Voice of America Editorial, June 17, 2011.
  68. ^ "US suspected Indian cos role in Iran N-plan". The Times of India. December 19, 2010. Retrieved March 9, 2011. 
  69. ^ a b Rice, Susan (2008-12-30). Shield S04B-08: Syria arranging to acquire CW equipment from two Indian companies. WikiLeaks. WikiLeaks cable:08STATE135048. Archived from the original on 2012-12-03. Retrieved 2012-12-03. 
  70. ^ Special Weapons Agencies. GlobalSecurity.

External links [edit]

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