Report: North Korea again helping Syria with chemical warheads
LONDON — North Korea has resumed its assistance to Syria for the
installation of chemical warheads on ballistic missiles, a Tokyo newspaper reported.
Pyongyang has resumed the transfer of chemical
weapons technology to Syria for the assembly of nonconventional missile
warheads, according Asian security sources. They said the effort focused on the installation and testing of
chemical
warheads for the Scud C and Scud D extended-range missiles.
On Monday, the Tokyo-based Sankei daily reported that North Korea, after
a break of four months, renewed the assistance to Damascus. In November 2007,
Sankei said, a North Korean delegation briefed Syria's military on
techniques to weaponize chemical agents in Scud C warheads.
The sources said North Korea accelerated CW missile assistance to Syria
throughout the first half of 2007. They said the effort was suspended in
wake of an explosion at a Syrian missile facility near Aleppo in July.
At least 15 people were killed when the explosion caused a fire that
raced through the facility and released chemical agents, the sources said.
They said the explosion took place as the Syrians, in cooperation with Iran,
sought to install a mustard-gas warhead on a Scud C, with a range of 550
kilometers.
Sankei said Pyongyang examined the accident and determined the reason
for the explosion. In its latest visit, the North Korean delegation briefed
the Syrian military on safety procedures.
