Syria shuts border tunnels as Hezbollah arsenal raises questions

DAMASCUS – Syria has stepped up efforts to shut down smuggling routes along its border with Lebanon, uncovering tunnels and intercepting illicit shipments in a campaign that highlights growing concerns over Hezbollah’s ability to rearm during the ongoing regional conflict.

Syrian authorities said they had discovered and sealed at least two tunnels within 24 hours, describing them as being used by “Lebanese militias” for smuggling operations. The tunnels form part of a wider network of informal crossings along the 375-kilometre frontier, long exploited for trafficking weapons, drugs and other goods.

The crackdown comes as Hezbollah continues launching sustained rocket attacks on Israel, prompting questions over how the group has replenished its arsenal after suffering heavy losses in previous fighting.

Analysts say smuggling via Syria has been a key lifeline, allowing Hezbollah to restore part of its military capacity. The group is also believed to have accessed weapons stockpiles from abandoned Syrian army bases following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government.

Recent operations by Syrian forces underline the scale of the challenge. Border units have not only sealed tunnels but also foiled attempts to smuggle weapons and large quantities of Captagon, a powerful amphetamine widely trafficked across the region. In one operation, authorities seized arms and ammunition and arrested several suspects, including Lebanese nationals.

The Syrian military says it has reinforced deployments along the Lebanese and Iraqi borders, with specialised units tasked with surveillance and counter-smuggling operations. Officials say the aim is to prevent the frontier from being exploited as a conduit for weapons flows or a flashpoint amid escalating regional tensions.

The issue has taken on added urgency as the war between Israel and Iran-backed forces spreads across the region. Israeli military activity in Lebanon and the risk of spillover into Syria have heightened concerns that porous borders could further destabilise the situation.

Despite recent coordination between Beirut and Damascus to tighten border security, enforcement remains difficult. The rugged terrain and long-standing smuggling networks have made the frontier notoriously hard to control.

For now, Syria’s tunnel crackdown signals a more assertive attempt to curb illicit flows but it also underscores a broader reality: that cross-border smuggling remains a critical factor shaping the balance of power in the conflict.