US CENTCOM commends Syria for intercepting weapons bound for Hezbollah

US Central Command (CENTCOM) publicly commended Syria on Friday for intercepting several weapons shipments allegedly destined for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. In a statement, CENTCOM Commander Admiral Brad Cooper said, "Congratulations to Syria's security forces for recently interdicting multiple weapons shipments. These shipments were intended for Lebanese Hizbollah." The rare praise from the US military comes amid ongoing tensions and complex relations with Damascus.

Shared Regional Interest in Disarmament

Admiral Cooper emphasized that the United States and its regional partners have a "shared interest" in ensuring the disarmament of Hezbollah and preserving peace across the Middle East. The statement frames the interdiction as a positive step toward a broader security goal, aligning Syrian action, at least in this instance, with US strategic objectives to counter Iranian-backed militancy in the region.

Details of the Syrian Interdiction Operation

The CENTCOM statement followed reports from Syrian officials earlier in the week that security forces had engaged a group attempting to smuggle weapons. According to those reports, one suspect was shot and four others were detained while allegedly trying to transport hundreds of landmines to Hezbollah. The details suggest a significant seizure of matériel intended to bolster the group's arsenal.

Context of Hezbollah's Role and US Policy

Hezbollah, a Iran-backed Shiite political and military organization, remains a primary security concern for US defense planners, who view its substantial military capabilities as a threat to stability in Lebanon, Israel, and Syria. While the US maintains a firm policy against the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, this commendation indicates tactical cooperation on specific counter-proliferation efforts where interests temporarily converge, particularly in limiting the flow of arms to a common adversary.