An amazing coincidence
Proximity of explosion at Syrian plant to site of 'Israeli air strike' startling Ronen Bergman Published: 09.19.07, 22:00 /
This was when Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper first exposed the chemical missile facility in al-Safir, Syria, and reported that Iran is assisting Damascus in significantly upgrading its ground-to-ground missiles.
Compared to former satellite images, vast changes are evident at the site as well as a massive construction effort – particularly in areas related to the new Scud missile type D. The missile is manufactured elsewhere but is stored in underground tunnels in al-Safir. The giant site spans dozens of kilometers and comprises several sites surrounded by high fences and patrol roads.
The images reveal the vast chemical weapon manufacturing area, its storage area in reinforced concrete bunkers, the area where the missiles are stored, and ground-to-air missile batteries defending the site.
Latest in series of accidents
The satellite images detected four chemical weapon production sites: The first is located north of Damascus; the second is adjacent to the city of Humas, the third in Hama – and apparently manufactures VX, Sarin and Tabun gas, and the fourth in al-Safir. The images clearly identify the cooling towers typical of chemical weapons manufacturing facilities.
During the complex manufacturing process, highly toxic agents must be removed and the system cooled. The images reveal a powerful power plant that attests to massive industrial activity.
Syria is using its growing pharmaceutical industry in order to purchase materials related to its chemical warfare development, as this is a field where distinctions cannot be made between civilian and military projects.
The accident in al-Safir - as reported by Jane's Magazine – is the latest in a series of accidents: In 1991 the Syrian Health Ministry was forced to close down five pharmaceutical plants due to "complaints by civilians and doctors" that the products "did not meet the required regulations."
Nonetheless, the proximity of the explosion in al-Safir and the reports in the foreign media in recent weeks about an "Israeli strike" in a nearby arae is nothing short of amazing.
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The scientific arm responsible for Syria's knowledge and missile production is the Scientific Study Research Center (SSRC). They can be contacted at POB 4470, Damascus. They can also be reached by phone at: 963-11-772-603, or faxed at 963-11-2223771. Yet behind this seemingly innocent name hides the agency in charge of the manufacture of ballistic missiles. The center also handles a great part of the knowledge and acquisition of equipment worldwide.
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