북한이 지원한 시리아 ‘더티 밤’ 핵물질 제거한다…미·IAEA와 합의

Syria has reached an agreement with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the United States to remove "dirty bombs" radioactive materials from its secret nuclear facility in Deir al-Zor, eastern Syria. The removal of these materials, which have been a potential obstacle in rebuilding the country after a 14-year civil war, demonstrates Syria's efforts to clean up the legacy of its former regime.

According to a report by Axios on October 10, the Assad regime had been secretly building the Kibar nuclear facility in Deir al-Zor since 2001, with the support of North Korea. The reactor at this facility was believed to be similar in design to the one in Yongbyon, North Korea. In 2007, after Israel attacked the facility, the Assad regime buried any remaining uranium yellowcake in the facility's "99th block".

While this material is not enough to build a nuclear weapon, it could be used to create a "dirty bomb" and contaminate the surrounding area with radioactive fallout. In the chaotic aftermath of Syria's civil war collapsing in 2024, Israel suspected that Turkey, a regional rival, was helping the Syrian government access these materials.

Israel threatened to attack again if the materials were removed from the facility or if Turkey or the Syrian government attempted to access them. In response, the US intervened, mediating an agreement between Syria and the IAEA to remove the materials from the facility. The new Syrian government, eager to rebuild its economy after its worst performance in decades, has been working to form new relationships with Western nations.

A senior research fellow at the US Middle East Research Institute noted that the new Syrian government is showing strong commitment to addressing the legacy of the Assad regime, including the nuclear materials. The US government says all parties involved are satisfied with the outcome, and they hope the actual removal of the radioactive materials will begin this year.