The administration of US President Donald Trump reached an agreement with Syria and Israel to remove nuclear materials from the secret "Zone 99" facility, linked to the former nuclear program of Bashar al-Assad's regime. Axios reports this, citing American and Israeli officials, writes UNN.
Details
The agreement stipulates that the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) must remove the materials from the facility. The arrangement was reached several weeks ago after months of secret negotiations between the United States, Israel, Syria and the IAEA.
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According to sources, the facility stores yellowcake — a powder made from uranium ore that can be used in the subsequent nuclear fuel cycle. The materials are linked to Syria's former Al-Kibar nuclear project.
Israel demanded the removal of the materials
Israel had been monitoring "Zone 99" for a long time and demanded that no nuclear materials be left there. According to Israeli officials, the country even threatened to strike the facility again if Syria attempted to gain access to the materials.
The United States and Israel ultimately concluded that the best option would be to secure the removal of the materials through diplomatic means. When Washington raised the issue with Syria's new authorities, representatives of Damascus said they were unaware that nuclear materials were present at the facility.
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Several weeks ago, Israeli observers noticed activity near the facility, raising concerns about possible access to the materials. Israel also examined the possibility that Turkey might provide assistance to Syria.
The IAEA is to remove the materials
The Trump administration urged Israel not to take military action and brought the IAEA into the negotiations. As a result, the agency and the Syrian government signed an agreement to remove the materials from "Zone 99".
Very few people in the United States, Israel and Syria knew about this
According to him, the United States established productive relations with Syria's new authorities after the fall of Assad's regime.
The materials are still at the facility. American officials expect their removal to begin soon and may be completed by the end of 2026.