Syrian Missile Falls Near Israeli Nuclear Facility... Interception Failure

Fell Near Israel Dimona Reactor
Israel Air Force "No Intent to Strike Reactor" Seems

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It has been reported that one surface-to-air missile launched from Syria fell in the southern Negev region of Israel, where nuclear facilities are located. The Israeli Air Force reportedly failed to intercept the missile, and it is presumed that the initial attack was not aimed at the reactor facility.

According to local media such as The Times of Israel on the 22nd (local time), one surface-to-air missile launched by Syria fell in the southern Negev region of Israel, where nuclear facilities are located. The Negev region is home to Israel's nuclear facility, the Dimona reactor, and it is reported that warning sirens sounded after the explosion.

An Israeli military spokesperson stated, "It appears that the Syrian missile did not intend to strike the Dimona reactor," adding, "The Syrian surface-to-air missile targeted an Israeli fighter jet conducting an airstrike but missed, flew about 300 km, and fell in an uninhabited area of Dimona. The missile is estimated to be a Russian-made SA-5." Earlier, the Israeli military conducted airstrikes on several missile bases in Syria, and the Syrian surface-to-air missile was fired targeting the Israeli fighter jets during the airstrike but missed.

The Israeli Air Force attempted to intercept the missile using its interception system but reportedly failed, increasing anxiety among the Israeli public. The Syrian government forces receive support from Iran, the leading Islamic Shia power. Previously, after Iran publicly accused Israel of causing a blackout at Iranian nuclear facilities, the possibility of airstrikes on Israeli nuclear facilities was raised.