The detonators could have been used in IEDs and were likely destined for Hezbollah.
Syrian authorities intercepted a large shipment of 6,000 explosive detonators that were being smuggled to Lebanon, according to the Syrian Interior Ministry.
Syrian authorities did not say if the explosive devices were destined for Hezbollah, but Hezbollah is the main terrorist group in Lebanon that would likely want to import systems like this.
According to Syria’s North Press Agency, “the Syrian Interior Ministry announced on Wednesday that it had thwarted an attempt to smuggle a large shipment of explosive detonators intended for use in improvised explosive devices (IEDs), as the shipment was being transported toward Lebanese territory.”
The report noted in an official statement that the ministry had said that “the operation resulted in the seizure of approximately 6,000 explosive detonators, describing it as one of the largest confiscations of its kind in recent months.”
The report went on to add that “authorities did not disclose further details regarding the location of the seizure or the individuals involved in the smuggling attempt. Explosive detonators are commonly used in the assembly of IEDs, which have been widely employed throughout the Syrian conflict by various actors, posing ongoing security risks to civilians and security forces.”
People carry their belongings while crossing from Lebanon into Syria, as they flee the ongoing hostilities between Hezbollah and Israeli forces, at the Masnaa border crossing, Lebanon October 28, 2024. (credit: REUTERS/MOHAMED ABD EL GHANY)
Iranian-backed terrorist groups have used IEDs for many years in the region. After 2003, Iran helped Iraqi insurgents create what are called Explosively Formed Penetrators (EFPs), a type of IED that killed numerous Americans.
Syria has stopped smuggling to Hezbollah before. Since the fall of the Assad regime, the new government has acted against Iranian-backed smuggling.
In June 2025, the Alma Center in northern Israel, which covers security issues on Israel’s northern border, noted that “on June 7, 2025, Syrian security forces captured a weapons smuggling cell in the Syrian city of Talkalakh, located near the border between Syria and northern Lebanon. The capture of the smuggling cell thwarted an attempt to smuggle 200 Iranian-made 107mm rockets intended for Hezbollah in Lebanon (see on the right side of the visual).”
The Alma Center further noted that “Iranian rockets of this type, which are well known to be used by Hezbollah, were seized by the IDF during the ground maneuver in southern Lebanon and were displayed at a captured weapons exhibition held by the IDF in December 2024 (see on the left side of the visual). Along the approximately 400 km. border between Lebanon and Syria, there are over 130 smuggling routes.”
In January 2025, the Syrian authorities also prevented a shipment of rifles from reaching Hezbollah.
Syria uncovers tunnel near Lebanon border, likely used to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah
In more recent days, Syria also uncovered a tunnel near the border with Lebanon that was also likely used to smuggle weapons to Hezbollah. State TV channel Al-Ikhbaria reported on the discovery. The tunnel was near Qusayr. This is in Homs province in Syria and borders northern Lebanon. Hezbollah used Qusayr as a key crossing to Syria since 2012.
Asharq al-Awsat, an Arab media outlet, reported additional details about the detonators. “The Internal Security Directorate in Nabk said it dismantled a plan to move a large quantity of explosive detonators used in making improvised explosive devices, adding the shipment was bound for Lebanon.”
The report says that the Syrian authorities used field surveillance to catch the culprits. “The developments come amid fears Syria could be drawn into a wider conflict through Lebanon and efforts to disarm Hezbollah, with backing from the United States and Israel.”
Syria says it also detained five people linked to Hezbollah on April 11. “Authorities said a woman in the cell was caught attempting to carry out an attack by planting an explosive device near the home of a religious figure in Bab Touma, close to the Mariamite Cathedral [of Damascus]. Media reports identified the target as Rabbi Michael Houri,” Asharq noted.