Syrian security forces intercepted on Friday a shipment of weapons reportedly destined to be smuggled into Lebanon through illegal border crossings, according to official sources quoted by the al-Janoubia website.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) disclosed that the seized vehicle was a truck loaded with “sophisticated weapons and ammunition that Hezbollah had stored in Syria during its control of border areas.” SOHR added that Hezbollah attempted to transfer the arms into Lebanon via illegal routes in rural Tartus.
Furthermore, the General Security Directorate in Tartus confirmed the operation, stating that it was carried out in coordination with local intelligence services following continuous monitoring. “An arms smuggling operation headed to Lebanon through illegal crossings was thwarted, and weapons and missiles were confiscated before they entered Lebanese territory,” the directorate announced.
According to SOHR, this marks the second truck intercepted in recent days. Another Hezbollah-operated vehicle “loaded with weapons and ammunition” was seized earlier in the western countryside of Homs.
The development comes amid reports that Hezbollah has been gradually withdrawing from Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime on December 8. The Hezb’s ability to use Syria as a logistical base for storing and transporting weapons has reportedly diminished, weakening its operational capacity to confront Israel.
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