Agreement reached to remove nuclear material from secret Syrian site: Axios

The International Atomic Energy Agency is preparing to remove nuclear material from a clandestine Syrian storage site known as “Site 99,” following a US-brokered understanding with the Syrian and ‘Israeli’ governments, according to ‘Israeli’ and US officials cited by Axios.

The material includes yellowcake—a concentrated uranium powder that can be further processed and eventually enriched—along with other residues and leftovers linked to the former Assad regime’s Al-Kibar nuclear reactor project.

‘Israel’ destroyed that facility in a 2007 airstrike.

While the stockpile cannot be used to build a nuclear weapon, officials noted it could potentially be employed in a “dirty bomb” that disperses radioactive material.

‘Israel’ had closely monitored Site 99 for about two years.

Shortly after the Assad regime’s collapse in December 2024, ‘Israeli’ forces bombed the site’s entrances to block access.

‘Israeli’ officials later warned they would not tolerate the material remaining in place and threatened further strikes if it was not removed or if Syria appeared to be trying to reach it.

Concerns also arose about possible Turkish involvement.

US and ‘Israeli’ officials had discussed the issue for more than a year.

They ultimately agreed the best path was securing Syrian government cooperation.

When Washington raised the matter, Syrian officials under transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa said they had been unaware of the material at the site.

“Very few people in the U.S., Israel and Syria were aware of this,” one US official reportedly told Axios, adding that the new Syrian authorities have proved “good partners.”

Urgency increased several weeks ago when ‘Israeli’ monitors detected movement near the site, prompting suspicions that Damascus might be seeking access.

The Trump administration urged ‘Israel’ to refrain from military action and involved the IAEA.

An agreement between the agency and the Syrian government to remove the material was signed about three weeks ago.

US officials described the episode as validation of the administration’s approach to engaging Syria’s post-Assad leadership and using those ties to defuse a potential crisis that could have drawn in ‘Israel’, Syria and possibly Turkey.

The White House, the IAEA and the Israeli prime minister’s office declined to comment, according to Axios.

The material has not yet been extracted.

“We think everybody is happy with the result. Hopefully we will be able to kick off the removal process soon and end it before the end of the year,” a US official told Axios.