LOC21:07
18:07 GMT
WASHINGTON, Feb 18 (KUNA) -- An intelligence review released on Wednesday
say that Syria is developing chemical weapons capability northwest of the
country.
"Construction at the Al Safir facility appears to be the most significant
chemical weapons production, storage and weaponisation site in Syria. Its
presence indicates Syrias desire to develop unconventional weapons either to
act as a deterrent to conflict with Israel or as a force enhancer should any
conflict ensue", said editor of Janes Intelligence Review Christian Le Miere.
Janes Intelligence Review used satellite images from commercial sources
gathered between 2005 and 2008 to examine activity at the chemical weapons
facility identified as Al Safir in northwest Syria.
Jane Review says it observed in the imagery "significant levels of
construction have taken place at the facilitys production plant and adjacent
missile base", noting that the site is not "a civilian industrial complex".
"The facility is accessed only through a military checkpoint and each
element within the facility has an additional security point", said the study.
"This does not suggest that Syria is arming itself for an offensive, but it
could have regional security implications given Syrias tension with its
neighbor, Israel", it added.
Le Miere noted that "further expansion of Al Safir is likely to antagonize
Israel and highlight mutual mistrust, even as peace talks between the two
neighbors progress intermittently. Although an Israeli air strike on the
facility may not yet be likely, such developments only serve to underline and
exacerbate regional tensions". (end)
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