Security services of Syrian Transitional Government arrest group involved in smuggling weapons to Hezbollah

DARAMSUQ — Despite its declining influence in Syria, Hezbollah continues to attempt smuggling weapons through the country, prompting Syrian General Security to intensify efforts to intercept such activities.

According to the Syrian Government News Agency (SANA), citing a General Security official, authorities arrested a group involved in smuggling and selling weapons to Hezbollah in the Qutayfah area, located in the Daramsuq (Damascus) countryside.

Recent weeks have seen heightened tensions along the Syrian-Lebanese border, with several armed clashes reported between Syrian forces and Lebanese smugglers. These incidents led to an agreement between Syria and Lebanon to strengthen border security and prevent illegal activities.

Hezbollah’s setbacks in Syria have been compounded by the fall of the former Syrian regime, which was a key ally and facilitated routes for smuggling weapons and supplies. President of the Syrian Transitional Government Ahmad al-Sharaa noted that the fall of the Assad regime has significantly weakened Iran’s influence in the region, pushing its strategic goals back by 40 years.

Al-Sharaa emphasized that Syria would not be used as a launchpad for threatening neighboring countries, reinforcing the country’s commitment to regional stability. The arrest and ongoing border security measures highlight the Syrian authorities’ determination to counteract Hezbollah’s smuggling operations and reduce its influence within Syria.

محافظة ريف دمشق: بعد المتابعة والتحري، الأمن العام يلقي القبض على مجموعات متورطة في تهريب وبيع السلاح لحزب الله اللبناني، في منطقة القطيفة بريف دمشق.#سانا pic.twitter.com/9aetlerPtm

— الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء – سانا (@SanaAjel) February 19, 2025