Syria’s Tartus Security Foils Weapons Smuggling Operation to Lebanon

Weapons seized by General Security in Tartus near the Lebanese border – Internet.
NORTH PRESS AGENCY SYRIA | Published January 17, 2025

TARTUS, Syria (North Press) – Security forces in Tartus announced on Friday that they successfully intercepted an arms smuggling operation destined for Lebanon. The operation led to the confiscation of weapons, including missiles, before they crossed the border via unauthorized routes.

Cross-Border Cooperation

The interception follows a recent meeting between Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of Syria’s new administration, and Lebanese Prime Minister Najib Mikati. During the talks in Damascus last week, both leaders emphasized the need for enhanced border control and joint efforts to prevent smuggling operations.

Al-Sharaa and Mikati highlighted the strategic importance of securing the shared border to curb the movement of illicit goods, including arms and contraband, that threaten regional stability.

Coordinated Effort

According to the state-run SANA news agency, the successful operation resulted from close coordination between Tartus General Security and local intelligence units. Authorities had been conducting continuous surveillance and monitoring of the area, leading to the discovery of the smuggling attempt.

“The operation demonstrates our commitment to safeguarding national and regional security,” a security official was quoted as saying.

Weapons and Routes

The seized arsenal reportedly included automatic weapons, ammunition, and missiles intended for undisclosed recipients in Lebanon. Smugglers are believed to have used mountainous terrain and unregulated crossings to evade detection.

Security officials noted that such operations are part of a broader network of illegal activities facilitated by the region’s challenging topography and political instability.

Ongoing Challenges

The porous border between Syria and Lebanon has long been a hotspot for smuggling activities, including weapons, fuel, and narcotics. Both countries have faced criticism for their inability to completely secure the border, which has enabled criminal networks to thrive.

Recent efforts by Syrian and Lebanese authorities to bolster border security have included increased patrols, intelligence sharing, and tighter surveillance measures.

Impact on Regional Security

The thwarting of this smuggling attempt is seen as a significant step in addressing cross-border trafficking that poses risks to both nations. Observers believe that sustained cooperation between Syria and Lebanon will be crucial in combating such threats and ensuring stability in the region.

Further investigations are reportedly underway to identify those responsible for organizing the smuggling operation and their potential connections to larger networks.

 

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SOURCE: www.npasyria.com

RELATED: Syria says it foiled attempt to smuggle rifles, drones into Lebanon via illegal border crossing

A shipment of weapons destined for Lebanon which was captured by Syrian authorities, in an image released on January 17, 2025. (Tartous Public Security Directorate via SANA)
THE TIMES OF ISRAEL | Published January 17, 2025

Syria’s public security directorate announces that it foiled an attempt to smuggle arms into Lebanon via an illegal border crossing in the Tartous area.

Images released by Syrian media show a shipment of rifles, grenade launchers, Iranian Shahed drones, and other weapons that were captured and seized by authorities.

Israel has been concerned that weapons from the former Assad regime in Syria could be sent to the Hezbollah terror group in Lebanon. The IDF has also struck several border crossings between Syria and Lebanon to prevent arms from reaching the Lebanese terror group.

 

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SOURCE: www.timesofisrael.com

 

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