Syrian Interior Ministry: Arms shipment seized on the border with Iraq, destined for the Hezbollah terrorist militia

Syrian authorities foiled an attempt to smuggle “special weapons” and “missiles” across the border with Iraq, which they said were intended for transfer to Lebanon, according to an announcement by the Syrian Ministry of Interior. The ministry stated that specialized units thwarted and seized a large shipment of special weapons at the Syrian-Iraqi border before it could be brought into Syrian territory.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the operation followed the detection of a vehicle stopped within the border zone under suspicious circumstances. The vehicle was subjected to inspection, resulting in the seizure of a shipment of weapons that included long-range missiles, anti-tank guided missiles, and drones.

Preliminary investigations, based on a ministry statement published by SANA and relying on evidence and clues gathered during the operation, confirmed that the shipment was intended to cross Syrian territory en route to Lebanon for the benefit of the Hezbollah terrorist militia. Investigations are ongoing to uncover all details of the case, identify all those involved, and map out the associated networks.

The Ministry of Interior emphasized that border protection and safeguarding national sovereignty are paramount priorities, leaving no room for compromise. It reiterated that it will not allow Syrian territory to be exploited as a transit route or launching pad for smuggling weapons or carrying out any activities that threaten the security of the Syrian Arab Republic or neighboring countries.

For its part, the General Authority of Borders and Customs of Syria stated that the shipment was “tightly concealed inside one of the oil tanker trucks heading to the city of Baniyas.” The authority noted that the weapons, missiles, and drones were hidden inside the tanker “in a professional manner to conceal them and bypass customs control procedures.”

The authority added that the seizure occurred during routine inspection and verification procedures for vehicles and shipments passing through the checkpoint. One of the tankers raised suspicions, prompting a thorough inspection that revealed the weapons, missiles, and drones hidden inside in a professional manner designed to evade customs controls.

After completing the necessary formalities and securing the seizure, the confiscated shipment was handed over to the competent authorities to continue investigations, follow up on the case, and take the necessary legal actions against those involved.