A key scientist involved in the development of chemical weapons in Syria was assassinated.

By: World Israel News

A senior Syrian scientist involved in the Assad regime’s chemical weapons program was assassinated in Syria.

Dr. Aziz Esber, director of the Syrian Scientific Studies and Research Center (SSRC) in the town of Masyaf, was killed along with his driver in an attack in the nearby Hama province.

The US has described the center as Syria’s chemical weapons manufacturer.

Local sources said a roadside bomb exploded and killed Esber and his driver in the area, which is located 100 kilometers north of Damascus; other reports said a bomb was attached to Esber’s car, alaraby.co.uk reported.

According to the UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, Azbar had close ties to Syrian President Bashar Assad and to the Iranian regime.

No official comment from the Syrian authorities has been made.

A number of Syrian and Lebanese news outlets reported the assassination.

Official sources quoted by the Cuban Prensa Latina agency said that Israeli intelligence services might have been involved.

#Pt. Update: local sources say 10 missiles were fired by #Israel. At least 6 hit the military complex N. of #Masyaf. Video shows air defenses in action. #Syria. pic.twitter.com/oTMLjX4alS — Qalaat Al Mudiq (@QalaatAlMudiq) July 22, 2018

As in all similar cases, Israel neither confirmed nor denied the report.

On several previous occasions, the Israeli Air Force reportedly launched strikes on the SSRC, including just recently.