Truemors
In a shocking revelation, Jane's Defence, has outlined its recent findings related to the ongoing Syrian, Iranian defense initiative. Janes sources state that both Iran and Syria are running an "Innovative chemical weapons programme." The real crux of the cooperation, Jane's sources detailed is the contractual commitment, made to Syria a few months ago, to provide Iranian chemical weapons technical assistance to facilitate Syria's chemical weapons program."
The shocking intel comes on the heels of recent revelations that Syria may have been working with North Korea to purchase nuclear weapons and materials as recently as early summer. Though Israeli officials will not confirm it, and Syrian officials are saying it was an air space testing raid, sources throughout the middle east have been confirming that Israeli jets struck targets in Syria last week purported to have been WMD in nature.
Not only does the new Janes report outline Syrian/Iranian connections in the development of weapons of mass destruction, it also outlines an incident that took place on July 23rd of this year where both Iranian and Syrian weapons technicians were killed when an accident occurred during the process of mounting a chemical warhead on the top of a scud missile. According to reports, an explosion occurred during the mounting spreading lethal chemical agents, including sarin nerve gas; dozens of Iranians and 15 Syrian officers were killed.
Syria is not a signatory to either the Chemical Weapons Convention or the Conprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT); the international treaties that prevent member states from manufacturing such weapons. The internationally reknowned globalsecurity.org cites Syria as having one of the most advanced chemical weapons programmes in the Middle East.
Iran aids Syria's CW programme
By Robin Hughes JDW Middle East Editor
London
With the release of the UN International Independent Investigation Commission interim report on 20 October into the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri increasing international pressure on Syria, a diplomatic source has said that Damascus is nevertheless pursuing what they describe as "an innovative chemical warfare [CW] programme in co-operation with Iran".
The essence of this co-operation, the source told JDW, "is Tehran's contractual commitment, made to Syria a few months ago, to provide Iranian CW technical assistance to facilitate Syria's CW programme".
Utilising this assistance, they said, Syria hopes to reach an independent production capability of precursors for producing CW agents, which it has so far been unable to achieve.
According to the source, Iran will assist Syria in the planning, establishment and pilot operation of about four or five facilities throughout Syria for the production of precursors for VX and Sarin nerve agents and mustard blister agent.
"This project is unprecedented and millions of US dollars have been allocated to implement it," the source said.
"The project includes building major facilities, including advanced equipment to produce tens to hundreds of tonnes of CW precursors per year that are sufficient for CW industrial manufacturing pilot production."
Proof of cooperation between Iran and Syria in the proliferation and development of weapons of mass destruction was brought to light Monday in a Jane's Defence Weekly report that dozens of Iranian engineers and 15 Syrian officers were killed in a July 23 accident in Syria. According to the report, cited by Channel 10, the joint Syrian-Iranian team was attempting to mount a chemical warhead on a Scud missile when the explosion occurred, spreading lethal chemical agents, including sarin nerve gas.
Reports of the accident were circulated at the time; however, no details were released by the Syrian government, and there were no hints of an Iranian connection.
The report comes on the heels of criticism leveled by the Syrians at the United States, accusing it of spreading "false" claims of Syrian nuclear activity and cooperation with North Korea to excuse an alleged Israeli air incursion over the country this month.
According to globalsecurity.org, Syria is not a signatory of either the Chemical Weapons Convention (CWC), - an international agreement banning the production, stockpiling or use of chemical weapons - or the Comprehensive Nuclear Test Ban Treaty (CTBT).
Syria began developing chemical weapons in 1973, just before the Yom Kipper War. Globalsecurity.org cites the country as having one of the most advanced chemical weapons programs in the Middle East.
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