Iraq arrests suspects in arms smuggling to Syria inside an oil tanker

Iraqi authorities have arrested suspects in an arms smuggling operation involving an oil tanker, after a shipment of missiles and drones was seized at the al-Tanf border crossing.

21 July, 2026 22:45

NEWS DESK

Iraqi authorities announced today the arrest of suspects in a case involving the smuggling of an arms shipment to Syria via an oil tanker, after the shipment was seized at the al-Tanf border crossing in Anbar province, western Iraq.

Security sources told media outlets that Iraqi forces arrested the third suspect in the case, noting that initial investigations revealed he is suspected of being the mastermind behind a network that was working to transport weapons into Syrian territory in preparation for their transfer to Lebanon.

Security forces had previously arrested two suspects, including the truck driver on the Iraqi side, on suspicion of involvement in transporting the shipment in exchange for money.

On July 16, the Iraqi General Authority for Border Ports announced the seizure of a large shipment of weapons, missiles, and drones hidden inside an oil tanker bound for the Syrian city of Banias.

ANHA