Israel eases media blackout, admits air strike on Syria
Last Updated: Tuesday, October 2, 2007 | 3:44 PM ET
CBC News
Israel partially lifted a media blackout on Tuesday on an air raid over Syria last month, admitting its warplanes struck an unspecified "military target" deep inside Syrian territory.
Israel's military censor had imposed a total blackout on coverage of the Sept. 6 air strike, which elevated tensions between two countries that have been formally at war since 1967.
On Tuesday, the censor's office allowed preliminary details to be published after Syrian President Bashar al-Assad confirmed the air strike in a televised interview.
"Israeli air force planes attacked a military target deep inside Syria on Sept. 6; the military censor allowed for publication today," Israel's Army Radio reported.
The censor continued to bar publication of other key details, including the target of the raid, which forces participated in the mission and whether the operation was successful.
At the time of the incident, Syria said only that warplanes entered its airspace, came under fire from anti-aircraft defences, and dropped munitions and fuel tanks to lighten their loads while they fled.
On Monday, Assad told the BBC that an "unused military building" was hit. Assad said the raid showed Israel's "visceral antipathy towards peace" and added his country would retaliate.
Syria denies reports of nuclear help from N. Korea
Journalists in Israel are required to submit articles related to security and military issues to the censor, which can make changes to stories or bar publication altogether. In a rare move, the censor's office issued a special directive about the Syrian air raid, specifically prohibiting publication of any details.
Violation of the censorship orders can result in the loss of press credentials or other sanctions.
While the easing of press restrictions confirmed the air strike, questions remain over what the target was and why Israel launched the raid.
Some unidentified U.S. officials, have speculated that Israel attacked a weapons shipment destined for Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, or attacked a nuclear facility built with North Korean technology.
North Korea, which provides missile technology to Syria, has denied any nuclear link. Syria also has denied receiving North Korean nuclear help.
Israel has occupied the Golan Heights since 1967. Peace negotiations between the two countries collapsed in 2000.
With files from the Associated PressShare Tools
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