Listen to the article: Audio text automatically generated by an automated system

0:00

2 minutes to read

Sources of Al Arabiya and Al Hadath channels confirmed on Sunday that the police of Anbar province arrested the first suspect in the case of smuggling weapons from Iraq to Syria, in the Sufiya area.

The sources explained that the driver of the tanker loaded with weapons, named Saleh Mohammed Saleh, who was detained by Syrian authorities, was recruited by armed militias in exchange for sums of money.

It added that Iraqi security agencies arrested other individuals suspected of involvement in the weapons smuggling operation to Syria. Al Arabiya and Al Hadath sources also confirmed the arrest of the second suspect in the weapons smuggling to Syria, identified as Hadi Salal.

It added that the suspects in the smuggling of weapons from Iraq to Syria have been referred to the relevant authorities.

Al Arabiya sources: Anbar police arrest the first suspect and others in the case of smuggling weapons to Syria in Sufiya.. Armed militias recruited a tanker driver in exchange for sums of money to carry out the operation as part of a network linked to smuggling operations pic.twitter.com/Mnb7NMKaDq

— Al Arabiya (@AlArabiya) July 19, 2026

Syrian authorities had announced on Thursday that they foiled an attempt to smuggle a huge shipment of "qualitative weapons", including long-range missiles, across the border with Iraq, which they said was intended to be smuggled to Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Since coming to power in late 2024, the new authorities in Syria have repeatedly announced the arrest of cells they said were linked to Hezbollah and the seizure of weapons destined for it, but this is the first time they have mentioned foiling an attempt to smuggle weapons for the party across the border with Iraq.

The Interior Ministry reported in a statement that its units "foiled an attempt to smuggle a huge shipment of qualitative weapons on the Syrian-Iraqi border, and seized it before it was brought into" Syrian territory.

It said the operation came "after monitoring a vehicle parked within the border zone under suspicious circumstances, where it was subjected to inspection", resulting in the seizure of the shipment which includes "long-range missiles, guided anti-tank missiles, and drones".

Preliminary investigations, according to the Interior Ministry, showed that "the shipment was intended to transit through Syrian territory towards Lebanon" for Hezbollah.

For its part, the Iraqi authorities announced "the formation of a high-level committee from relevant bodies and specialists to ascertain the full details of this matter".

It said that "coordination will be made with the Syrian side to learn all the details related to this operation, and to hold negligent parties accountable in a way that ensures the preservation of the security and stability of the joint borders, and prevents any attempts to undermine national security".

According to the Syrian General Authority for Ports and Customs, the shipment was seized inside a tanker designated for oil transportation at the Al-Tanf border crossing with Iraq, which was heading to the city of Baniyas.

Ad material

Ad material

Read also

Southern France.. Evacuation of several towns due to fires on the Mediterranean coast. The fire near Fréjus consumed about 180 hectares on Sunday evening. Arab and World

America.. Immigration agency personnel will wear body cameras during arrests. US official: These cameras exonerate a number of law enforcement officers more than those who ... America

Ronaldo and Ronaldinho join Madonna at World Cup final ceremony. The two legends Ronaldo Nazario and Ronaldinho joined American singer Madonna during ... Sports