-
Border authorities seize truck loaded with Grad rockets on Syria-Lebanon border
The Internal Security Directorate of Homs Province announced the successful thwarting of an arms smuggling operation, having intercepted a truck carrying Grad rockets attempting to cross into Lebanese territory during a tight ambush near the Syrian-Lebanese border on Tuesday.
According to Syrian News Agency, the ambush was set up based on precise intelligence indicating an arms smuggling attempt into Lebanon. It was found that the truck was traveling through one of the unofficial crossings in western Homs countryside.
In a statement, the police leadership confirmed that security forces suspected the vehicle and managed to seize it. Investigations are ongoing to apprehend those involved and take the necessary legal actions, though no details were provided about the number of detainees or participating entities in the smuggling.
In a related development, security sources reported that last week, the Internal Security forces managed to arrest Colonel Yaal Hassan, who was responsible for the Mahin depot, Syria’s second-largest arms depot, along with its warehouse security officer Wajih Ibrahim.
A knowledgeable source indicated that the detention came after intensive monitoring and surveillance operations. The detained officials have a record of violations against civilians during the years of the previous regime’s rule, in addition to involvement in shelling areas near the military site.
These developments occur as Syrian and Lebanese forces have closed numerous unofficial crossings along the northern and eastern borders, which were previously used for smuggling and infiltration by Hezbollah elements and the toppled regime.
These measures are part of efforts by authorities to combat the surge in arms and drug smuggling, especially following the fall of the Assad regime, with both countries working to enhance control over unofficial border crossings to reduce illegal activities and ensure security and stability in the region.
