Israel admits to 2007 Operation Orchard airstrike on Syrian nuclear reactor
Fox News reports that Israel has finally admitted to that which the world already suspected – that they were the folks who took out the Syrian nuclear reactor in the Deir el-Zour region in the mission entitled Operation Orchard – also known as Operation Outside the Box. It was conducted by F-15s and F-16s of the 69 Squadron as well as support aircraft – as many as eight aircraft, four of which crossed the Syrian frontier.
Israel’s involvement has been one of its most closely held secrets, and it was not immediately clear why Israel decided to go public now. The military would not comment on its reasoning, but the move could be related to the upcoming memoir of former Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who ordered the strike and has hinted about it for years, or it could be meant as a warning to archenemy Iran, which is active in Syria.
Israel and Syria have always been bitter enemies. Throughout Syria’s seven-year civil war, Israel has carried out well over 100 airstrikes, most believed to have been aimed at suspected weapons shipments destined for the Iranian-backed Hezbollah militant group. Both Iran and Hezbollah are allied with Syrian President Bashar Assad.
Apparently, Israel initially asked the US to bomb the North Korean-inspired reactor and when the Bush Administration refused, Israel took it upon themselves to destroy the facility.
Category: Terror War
“…, and it was not immediately clear why Israel decided to go public now.”
Really? I can think of a very good reason- to put the fear of Allah in Iran’s Mad Mullahs and their nuclear ambitions.
All Iran has to do is look back approx. 30 years and see what happened in Iraq to know what’s in their future.
Once is an anomaly (Iraq), twice is a trend (Syria). Iran is looking at strike three.
And the F-15 can carry a -very- heavy item on the center line hardpoint.
True. Sorry I blew up.
Some day the US will quit pulling on Israel’s leash and let them go. I look forward to that day.
Amen.
That’d be sweeter than tea in Georgia!
As long as our forces and assets are nowhere nearby when they do, sure.
I remember six days in 1967.
The Israelis did just fine. Nasser? He learned a hard lesson.
Betting against God’s Chosen People is a very poor decision. I’d have no problem with US forces being deployed side-by-side with them.
Assad with a reactor is only slightly better than ISIS with a reactor. Strong work by the IAF!
https://www.defensenews.com/global/mideast-africa/2018/03/20/just-declassified-how-an-israeli-operation-derailed-syrias-nuclear-weapons-drive/
Video imbedded in the article.
So how does this affect the length of the snorting session and pawing the ground going on over there?
It seems to be US and (Iraq) whoever against Russia and Iran, but where from here?
Of course the Israelis did it. That huge building didn’t deconstruct itself. If not the Israelis, then who else. If it was us, the congress would still be debating whether or not to impeach Pres. Bush.
No shit. Really?
I am in the wrong business.
Keeping things quiet was a smart move, especially since the attack took place in 2007.
I have a feeling the Israeli’s, like some Americans, had no idea what the next administration would be like.
As I recall, Obama made it abundantly clear he didn’t support Israel – and knowledge of this would have given him more reason to be a douchebag.
Not that he ever needed much of a reason. But I agree.
Syria, Russia and Iran are fighting ISIS.
The US, UK, Israel and Turkey are fighting against Syria, and supporting ISIS.
Anyone see what’s wrong with this picture?
And all without stealth technology.
Next time, timactual. Next time. A wise old Senior Chief sat me down at his feet one day long ago and said, “Little AWANEd, never miss an opportunity to shut the fuck up.”
Words that have served me well.
And that ain’t no shit. *grin*
What doesn’t get said, doesn’t get heard.
What doesn’t get written, doesn’t get read.
I recall reading that we provided the spoofing of the security system during the operation so as to keep the element of surprise. Yeah, I know that was a movie thing but I specifically remember it being related to this operation. And not long after.