Syria intercepts arms smuggling attempt near Lebanon border

Syrian border guards foiled an attempt to smuggle weapons across the Syria-Lebanon border, Asharq Al-Awsat reported on 20 March.

Four people, including two Lebanese nationals, were arrested and weapons and ammunition seized, the Syrian defence ministry said. The operation targeted a smuggling route in the Flita area of the Qalamoun region in the Damascus countryside.

The suspects were transferred for legal proceedings.

The incident comes as Syria has reinforced its military presence along the border with Lebanon in recent days, a move Lebanese officials said had raised concerns.

However, Lebanese Foreign Minister Youssef Rajji said in a post on X that Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibanitold him the move was intended to secure the border and prevent smuggling and other security breaches.

Al-Shibani said Syria did not plan to enter Lebanon or interfere in its internal affairs.

Syrian authorities said border guard units continue to conduct operations targeting arms and drug smuggling and monitor movement in the area.

Syrian border forces also said they are working to regulate movement along the frontier and prevent illegal crossings in areas where security conditions remain unstable.

In February 2025, Syrian officials said smuggling networks operating along the border were linked to armed groups,including Hezbollah, though the group has not publicly responded to the claims.

Similar incidents have also been reported in recent months. An arms shipment was seized in Nabek earlier in March, while security forces in Zabadani said in December they had stopped another attempt to transport weapons into Lebanon.

Asharq Al-Awsat, SANA, Youssef Raggi via X, United Nations Security Council, Maghrebi.org