Newsrael system 18.09.2020
Has Hezbollah been stockpiling ammonia nitrate in Europe?
A senior US official said yesterday that in recent years the terror organization Hezbollah has been stockpiling ammonia nitrate in Europe for the purpose of preparing explosives, in order to carry out attacks on Iran's orders.
Nathan Sayles, the State Department's Counter-Terrorism Coordinator, has called on European countries to take more severe action against the Lebanese Shiite organization. His remarks came a month and a half after a warehouse laden with ammonium nitrate exploded in the port of Beirut and destroyed the Lebanese capital.
Authorities are investigating how the substance, used to make both fertilizers and explosives, was allowed to stay in the port for six years after being confiscated from a ship. Hezbollah has great influence over the port, but has denied storing explosives and weapons.
"I can reveal that reservoirs were transferred from Belgium to France, Greece, Italy, Spain and Switzerland. I can also reveal that significant reserves of ammonium nitrate were exposed or destroyed in France, Greece and Italy," Sayles said in a video call with the American Jewish Committee. "We have reason to believe that this activity is still ongoing. As of 2018, there is still a suspicion of the presence of ammonium nitrate reserves throughout Europe, possibly in Greece, Italy and Spain."
Sayles added: "Why would Hezbollah stockpile ammonium nitrate on European soil? The answer is clear. They can carry out major terrorist attacks whenever they feel necessary."
"Hezbollah poses a clear and existing threat to the United States and Europe today”, the senior official said. He added that "Hezbollah continues to see Europe as a vital arena for its operational, logistical and economic activities. This will continue until Europe takes decisive action, as Britain and Germany have done."
Source: Walla News
Did you find this article interesting?