ISIS says target of Israeli airstrike in Syria was a nuclear facility
{{date|October 26, 2007}}
[[Image:MiddleEast.A2003031.0820.250m.jpg|thumb|right|Satellite image of the [[Middle East]]]]
Researchers at the {{w|Institute for Science and International Security}} (ISIS) have stated that a building that was located inside [[Syria]] at the site where [[Israel]] launched an airstrike on, has not only been completely removed, but that it was also a {{w|nuclear reactor}} under construction.

The researchers obtained the images from {{w|DigitalGlobe}} and released the satellite images of the site before the airstrike and according to them, the building is a nuclear reactor. They also state that the images show a facility much like the one in [[North Korea]] at {{w|Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center|Yongbyon}}. Another image taken on October 24, shows a site where a large building used to be, the ground being wiped clean of its existence. A water-pumping station located on the {{w|Euphrates River}} was believed to be used for cooling the reactor, claim the ISIS.

"The length of the outer walls of the structures are approximately the same. From the image, the Syrian building is similar in shape to the North Korean reactor building, but the Syrian building is not far enough along in its construction to make a definitive comparison," said the institute of the study.

Syria denies that they are building any kind of nuclear facility stating "the main point is that is that the Israeli fighter jet violated the airspace of a member state of the United Nations. This is the only fact that we should focus on. The Israelis have undertaken a provocative action and they should assume the consequences."

Despite Syria's claims, the ISIS states that "dismantling and removing the building at such a rapid pace dramatically complicates any inspection of the facilities and suggests that Syria may be trying to hide what was there."

Currently, the [[United States]] denies that the satellite photos show any site inside Syria and have not commented on the images. The [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (IAEA) also refused to release a statement.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Related news ==
*{{Wikinews|title=Report says Israeli air strike targeted Syrian nuclear reactor|date=October 14, 2007}}
*{{Wikinews|title=US says Israel hit Syrian targets in airstrike last week|date=September 12, 2007}}
*{{Wikinews|title=Syria fires on Israeli fighter planes|date=September 7, 2007}}

== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7063135.stm
|title=Syria air strike target 'removed'
|author=
|pub=BBC News Online
|date=October 26, 2007}}
*{{source|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/world/middleeast/26syria.html?ref=middleeast
|title=Photos Show Cleansing of Suspect Syrian Site
|author=William J. Broad & Mark Mazzetti
|pub=New York Times
|date=October 26, 2007}}

==External links==
*{{source|url=http://www.isis-online.org/publications/SyriaUpdate25October2007.pdf
|title=Syria Update: Suspected Reactor Site Dismantled
|author=David Albright, Paul Brannan and Jacqueline Shire
|pub=Institute for Science and International Security
|date=October 25, 2007}}

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[[Category:Politics and conflicts]]
[[Category:Middle East]]
[[Category:Syria]]
[[Category:Israel]]
[[Category:Nuclear power]]
[[Category:Energy]]
[[Category:Economy and business]]
[[Category:Science and technology]]
[[Category:IAEA]]
Satellite image of the Middle East
Researchers at the nuclear reactor under construction.

The researchers obtained the images from Yongbyon Nuclear Scientific Research Center|Yongbyon. Another image taken on October 24, shows a site where a large building used to be, the ground being wiped clean of its existence. A water-pumping station located on the  was believed to be used for cooling the reactor, claim the ISIS.

"The length of the outer walls of the structures are approximately the same. From the image, the Syrian building is similar in shape to the North Korean reactor building, but the Syrian building is not far enough along in its construction to make a definitive comparison," said the institute of the study.

Syria denies that they are building any kind of nuclear facility stating "the main point is that is that the Israeli fighter jet violated the airspace of a member state of the United Nations. This is the only fact that we should focus on. The Israelis have undertaken a provocative action and they should assume the consequences."

Despite Syria's claims, the ISIS states that "dismantling and removing the building at such a rapid pace dramatically complicates any inspection of the facilities and suggests that Syria may be trying to hide what was there."

Currently, the United States denies that the satellite photos show any site inside Syria and have not commented on the images. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) also refused to release a statement.
Politics and conflicts Middle East Syria Israel Nuclear power Energy Economy and business Science and technology IAEA