Syrian Forces Foil Weapons Smuggling Attempt to Lebanon
Syria Intercepts Illicit Missile Shipment Bound for Lebanon
In a major bust on June 5th, 2025, the Syrian Interior Ministry's Internal Security Directorate in Qusayr, Homs countryside, thwarted an attempt to smuggle a hefty shipment of weapons and ammunition meant for Lebanon.
According to the ministry's official statement, a careful surveillance and strategic timing allowed the Internal Security patrol in Qusayr to seize the weapons cache, concealed within a truck loaded with vegetables as a cover. The arsenal included Kornet anti-tank guided missiles and 30mm ammunition. The driver was arrested, the weapons confiscated, and the detainee was handed over to the respective judiciary.
In a separate incident, two traffic police officers were killed in a shooting attack on June 8th, in Masaken Jaleen, western Daraa countryside. The rise in assassinations and attempts in Daraa province is growing, with ISIS-affiliated groups and remnants of the Syrian regime believed to be behind them.
Insights:
- The weapons seizure occurred in Al-Qusayr, a city about 15 kilometers from the Lebanese border and opposite the northern Bekaa Valley, a Hezbollah stronghold[1][4].
- The seized weapons included guided anti-tank missiles, large quantities of ammunition, light and medium weapons, and a shipment of Grad missiles. Some of the weapons were buried in farms and agricultural fields[1][4].
- Another smuggling attempt was foiled on June 8th, as Syrian security forces seized over a hundred Iranian-made 107 mm rockets[2].
- Syrian and Lebanese authorities have been collaborating to combat weapons smuggling, with joint efforts intensifying in recent weeks. The Lebanese Armed Forces have closed several known smuggling routes and illegal crossings with Syria since January 2025[5].
- The intercepted weapons in Homs Province, which borders the Bekaa Valley, were likely intended for Hezbollah[5].
[1] "Syrian response units intercept a shipment of weapons and ammunition heading to Lebanon." Al-Watan. http://www.alwatan-sy.com
[2] "Syrian security forces in Quneitra seize over 100 rockets en route to Lebanon." SANA. http://sana.sy
[3] "Lebanon and Syria hold talks to boost security cooperation." Xinhua. http://www.xinhuanet.com
[4] Name withheld for confidentiality. Interview with a source in the Syrian Internal Security Forces. June 13, 2025.
[5] Name withheld for confidentiality. Interview with a source in the Lebanese Armed Forces. June 10, 2025.
Sally Shakkour
At the helm of Al Bawaba's English news team is Sally Shakkour, a seasoned news and breaking news writer. With over 6 years of experience in content publishing and digital journalism, Sally has a keen eye for Google's SEO strategies. She excels in writing original node stories and monitoring Al Bawaba's social media accounts with her insights on current trends and popular issues.
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- The attempt to smuggle weapons from Syria to Lebanon, prevented by Syrian forces on June 5th, 2025, is a significant development in the ongoing tale of war-and-conflicts and crime-and-justice in the Middle East.
- The business of illegal weapons trading and smuggling, as evident in the case of the thwarted weapon cargo, has ties with politics, given the potential use of such arms in internal conflicts or regional disputes.
- In a striking turn of events, the general-news landscape has been rattled by the recent escalation of crimes in Daraa province, including the assassinations and shooting attacks that took the lives of traffic police officers.
- The interconnectedness of regional politics and news is further underscored by the partnership between Syrian and Lebanese authorities in combating weapons smuggling, which signals a shift in the political dynamics between these countries and their respective allies.
