A shipment of weapons destined for Lebanon, intercepted by Syrian authorities. (Credit: Sana)
BEIRUT — Syrian authorities said Wednesday they had foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons bound for Lebanon, according to a statement carried by the state-run SANA news agency.
The weapons were discovered in the Zabadani area of southwestern Syria, near the Lebanese border. The seizure followed what SANA described as a “carefully prepared ambush” in the border town of Sarghaya, citing the Syrian Interior Ministry’s Telegram channel.
The shipment contained a large quantity of rocket-propelled grenade ammunition concealed for smuggling across the border, the ministry said. The weapons were confiscated in accordance with regulations and handed over to the relevant authorities. No details were released about the intended recipients.
The Interior Ministry said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to combat smuggling, secure borders and safeguard national security and stability.
Since the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria’s new authorities have intensified anti-smuggling measures, including efforts to cut Hezbollah supply routes that previously funneled weapons to the group through Syria. In early December, Syrian authorities said they killed one man and arrested four others who were attempting to smuggle a large quantity of mines into Lebanon for the party.
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