Iraq probes foiled Syria-bound weapons shipment – Shafaq News

Shafaq News- Baghdad

Iraq’s Joint Operations Command (JOC) established on
Thursday a high-level committee to investigate a foiled attempt to smuggle
weapons and missiles across the Iraqi border into Syria.

The committee was established under the direction of the Commander-in-Chief
of the Armed Forces and Prime Minister Ali Al-Zaidi and includes representatives
from relevant government agencies and specialists tasked with examining the
circumstances surrounding the attempted smuggling operation.

“Iraqi authorities will coordinate with their Syrian
counterparts to determine all details related to the incident and hold those
responsible accountable,” JOC said, adding that the measures “aim to safeguard
security along the shared border and prevent any attempts to undermine national
security.”

Earlier on Thursday, Syria’s General Authority for Border
Crossings and Customs intercepted a large shipment of drones and missiles at
the Al-Tanf border crossing. According to the agency, the weapons were
carefully concealed inside an oil tanker heading to the coastal city of
Baniyas.

The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) cited the Interior
Ministry as saying preliminary investigations indicated that the cargo was
destined to pass through Syria en route to Lebanon’s Hezbollah. 

Read more: Exclusive: How did arms from Iraq reach Syria for Hezbollah?