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Though there was never any real doubt, more than a decade later, the Israeli government has finally acknowledged that the country was responsible for destroying a secret Syrian nuclear reactor and declassified a number of details, along with video and images, about the intelligence process and the complex air strike itself. This decision seems to have been a response to a confluence of factors, including the present situation in Syria, renewed debate about Iran’s controversial nuclear program, and domestic political rivalries.
On March 21, 2018, Israel lifted its gag order on official statements about the mission, officially called either Operation Orchard or Operation Soft Melody, but also referred to within the country’s military as Operation Outside the Box. We now know for sure that at least eight aircraft took part, including four F-15I “Ra'am” (Thunder) from the Israeli Air Force’s 69 Squadron and four F-16I “Sufa” (Storm) each from 119 and 253 Squadrons. On the night of Sept. 5-6, 2007, the planes streaked through Lebanon and across nearly the full length of Syria and dropped approximately 17 tons of precision guided bombs on the reactor building, nicknamed “Rubik’s Cube” or just “the Cube,” before heading north and departing the area via Turkish airspace.
Turkey did not cooperate with them. They flew along the turkish-syrian border and some external fuel tanks happened to land on turkish soil when they were jettisoned.
So. They had the cooperation of Turkey.
originally posted by: anzha
a reply to: mightmight
I thought they also did some joint military exercises. It seems they did up through 2009. Turkey cancelled them over Gaza and things have gone down hill since. As I said, it's been a while.
originally posted by: Barnalby
a reply to: Athetos
Basically this. It's OK for Israel to bully the middle East (and, most likely, Europe and the USA) with its nukes, but god forbid any of its neighbors give themselves the same ability.
I'm surprised they haven't hit Iran's nuclear facilities yet.
originally posted by: face23785
a reply to: mightmight
Just curious, where did you read/hear all that? I mostly agree with your analysis, assuming your information is good.
The only thing I don't necessarily agree with is that the best you could hope for is to set their program back a few years. ….
Strictly from a planning and logistics standpoint, it's definitely easier for Israel to hit a target in Iraq or Syria than it is in Iran. It would also be harder for Iran to hit them back though except for with some missiles.
originally posted by: face23785
originally posted by: Barnalby
a reply to: Athetos
Basically this. It's OK for Israel to bully the middle East (and, most likely, Europe and the USA) with its nukes, but god forbid any of its neighbors give themselves the same ability.
Text When's the last time they used those as a negotiating point? I'll wait.
Thank God they had the balls to take this action. Did the same thing to Iraq in the 80s. I'm surprised they haven't hit Iran's nuclear facilities yet. [
Samson Option.
The Syrians were getting help from North Korea.