Syria has seized a cache of advanced weapons near the Iraqi border that was destined for Lebanon's Hezbollah movement, the Interior Ministry said on Thursday.
The ministry said special forces intercepted the shipment before it entered Syrian territory, after identifying a suspicious vehicle parked in the border area.
The weapons included long-range missiles, anti-tank guided missiles and drones, the ministry said in a statement. Preliminary investigations indicated they were intended to be transported to Lebanon for Hezbollah.
Hezbollah denied what it called the "flimsy allegations" and said it was not operating on Syrian territory.
Work was continuing to identify people involved and uncover any networks linked to the smuggling operation.
The ministry said it would act to stop Syrian territory being used as a corridor to traffic weapons or for activities that threaten the security of the country or its neighbours.
Iraq said it had established a committee to investigate the alleged smuggling attempt, and will work with Syrian authorities to determine the circumstances surrounding the case and identify those involved.
The Iraqi government said the move was aimed at enhancing security along the border and preventing activities that could undermine national security or regional stability.
On March 2, two days after Israel and the US launched strikes on Iran that triggered a wider regional conflict, Hezbollah fired missiles into Israel. The group said the attack was in retaliation for the killing of Iranian supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and repeated Israeli attacks on Lebanon.
The exchange marked an escalation between the longtime adversaries and ended a period of relative calm following a US-brokered ceasefire that had halted their previous conflict 15 months earlier.
Last month, US President Donald Trump suggested Damascus could take part in efforts to contain the Lebanese militant group.
Syria's government comprises groups that fought Hezbollah during the country's 2011-2024 civil war as the Iran-backed group sought to prop up the regime of Bashar Al Assad.
Syria's current president, Ahmad Al Shara, has sought to calm fears that his nascent military will do as Mr Trump suggested, saying “rumours circulating about Syria entering Lebanon are completely unfounded”, according to Syrian state media.
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun's office has said Mr Al Shara had assured him Syria would not take sides in Lebanon's internal affairs.
During a visit to Lebanon earlier this month, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani said that a meeting between Syria and Hezbollah was possible.
Syria dominated Lebanon for decades during the Assad regime. It sent forces into Lebanon in 1976 during the 1975-1990 civil war and heavily influenced Lebanese politics until withdrawing in 2005.
