John Lyons
THE AUSTRALIAN
November 02, 2013 12:00AM
Stop weapons exports . . . Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, left, meets Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin in Moscow Source: AP
ISRAEL is reported to have launched another airstrike on a supply of weapons in Syria.
In what would be Israel's fifth such reported intervention this year, a supply of Russian-made surface-to-air missiles at a military base near Latakia, a stronghold of the Assad regime, was hit late this week. CNN quoted a US administration source as saying Israel had launched the attack.
The report came as the international agency charged with overseeing the destruction of Syria's chemical weapons announced it had disabled all sites known to manufacture such weapons.
Israel's biggest-selling newspaper, Yedioth Ahronoth, reported that the leak to CNN revealed a deep rift between Washington and Jerusalem.
"Officials in Washington say that the timing of the strike was not good, to say the least, because yesterday Assad had kept his commitment and enabled the chemical weapons installations to be dismantled," it said.
"Senior officials in Jerusalem said yesterday that the leaks express the Americans' fear that the region will be set ablaze."
The paper said Israeli officials regarded the leak as "particularly severe, particularly since it came from a strategic ally".
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu flew to Moscow in May to urge President Vladimir Putin to cease exports of certain missiles to Syria, particularly the long-range S-300 missiles.
According to Israel's Maariv newspaper at the time, Mr Netanyahu suggested to Mr Putin that should Russia go ahead with such exports, Israel would consider destroying them before they became operational.
Israel's concern about these missiles is that they could be used to shoot down civilian aircraft flying into and out of Israel.
Mr Putin gave no commitment to stop such exports. After that visit, Syria's President Bashar al-Assad claimed that Russia was honouring all its weapons contracts with Syria.
Israel has a policy of not confirming such attacks, but it also has a stated policy that it will strike any weapons that it believes are destined for Hezbollah.
"My policy is to prevent the transfer of dangerous weapons to Hezbollah in Lebanon and other terror groups as well," Mr Netanyahu said when asked about another possible Israeli strike in July.
In May, a series of airstrikes destroyed Iranian-made missiles at a site near Damascus.
Since the Syrian conflict began in March 2011, Israel has been keen not to become militarily involved but has said it cannot allow weapons to end up with Hezbollah, which is committed to the destruction of Israel.
Apart from reported airstrikes, Israel has become involved periodically when missiles have been fired from Syria into the Israeli-controlled Golan Heights.
Israeli doctors have also been treating injured Syrians who have made their way to the Golan Heights.
Syria is believed to have about 1000 tonnes of mustard, sarin and nerve gas.
Ralf Trapp, a chemical weapons expert, said that up to now it had been "a job very well done" by the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons.
"I would be very satisfied at this point of time but very concerned about the future," he said.
Dr Trapp told Sky News if there were any continuing suspicions from the international community, they could be followed up.
He said the re-establishment of Syria's weapons program would require the setting up of new testing, training and other facilities.
"We are only at the beginning of the dismantling," Dr Trapp said.
ADDITIONAL REPORTING: AGENCIES -
Read more: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/world/israel-hits-russian-missiles-in-syria/story-e6frg6so-1226751587709
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