World

NEWUpdate IDF Navy uncover Iranian arms on ship en route to Syria

by tikun | November 4, 2009 at 12:40 am

214 views | 21 Recommendations | 9 comments

Further Update:

Brigadier-General Rani Ben-Yehudah, Head of Navy Staff, said Wednesday that the ship apprehended in a raid by an elite IDF unit was carrying “ten times and more” than the amount of weapons that was on the Karine A when that ship was apprehended in 2002.

Well it appears to never stop. In spite of the damaged global economy the oil keeps producing enough income to constantly fund terror.

Update:

Defense officials said the Francop, captured near Cyprus, was carrying arms sent by Iran and destined for Syria and Hizbullah.

A significant amount of 122 mm. Katyusha rockets, likely made in Iran, assault rifles, mortar shells and grenades were found on board.

The elite Navy Commando unit Shayetet 13 soldiers, who didn't encounter resistance on board, found the weapons and ammunition cache hidden behind what appeared to be a civilian cargo.

According to the officials, the vessel carried advanced weaponry including missiles, and the incident was apparently similar in scope to the seizing of the Karine A ship intercepted in January 2002 off the coast of Gaza. That boat carried some 50 tons of military equipment including Katyusha rockets, antitank missiles, and high explosives.

Special navy forces discovered weapons and ammunition on a cargo ship overnight Tuesday, after boarding a cargo ship some 100 nautical miles west of Israel flying an Antiguan flag.

Defense officials said the ship was carrying arms sent by Iran and destined for Syria and probably Hizbullah.

The troops found the weapons and ammunition cache hidden behind what appeared to be a civilian cargo.

According to the officials, the ship carried advanced weaponry including missiles, and the incident was apparently similar in scope to the seizing of the Karine A ship intercepted in January 2002 off the coast of Gaza. That boat carried some 50 tons of military equipment including Katyusha rockets, antitank missiles, and high explosives.

The ship is currently docked in the Ashdod port, and being unloaded for further inspection.

A month ago, Der Spiegel reported that the US Navy had boarded a German cargo ship near the Suez Canal that was carrying ammunition from Iran to Syria or Hizbullah.

0 See all footage | View Slideshow

Share: email story | add to any | | facebook | stumbleupon

recommend This comment thread is now closed

Hugh Askew

at 02:24 on November 4th, 2009

Wouldn't it make sense for the UN to put an end to the arms smuggling? That is, if they really cared about peace in the Middle East?

Three separate entities here that participate in, or are party to, terrorism, yet go unpunished.

Outside of Israel, this news will be seen or heard by almost no one. It just doesn't fit the accepted wisdom of the day.

tikun

at 02:46 on November 4th, 2009

Hugh, I agree. Deep in my heart I truly believe that NO ONE outside of the folks living here want some resolve to this situation. When one side or the other is encouraged not to sit down because money is thrown at them from whomever, the outside parties are then free to use the situation as a whipping boy when it suits them.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 03:39 on November 4th, 2009

Thanks for this tikun. It certainly hasn.t been reported in Canada either.

Ninja Mayhem

at 08:19 on November 4th, 2009

Thanks Tikun for the news and update after that.

tikun

at 08:20 on November 4th, 2009

Thanks you Ninja.

Karl Gotthardt - albertacowpoke

at 08:29 on November 4th, 2009

JERUSALEM — Israeli naval commandos seized an arms ship Wednesday near Cyprus that was carrying missiles and anti-tank weapons from Iran to Hezbollah guerrillas in Lebanon, defence officials said.

The pre-dawn seizure highlighted Israel's accusations that Iran is arming its enemies. Israel offered no evidence to back up its claim that the weapons were meant for Hezbollah.

The arms cache, including anti-tank missiles and Katyusha rockets, was stashed aboard a commercial vessel operating under the guise of an aid boat, captained by a Pole and flying an Antiguan flag, Israeli defence officials said.

They spoke on condition of anonymity because the military had not yet officially released the information.

A naval unit patrolling the area spotted the vessel and on the basis of intelligence reports, intercepted and boarded it, defence officials said.

The takeover of the boat occurred without incident, said military spokeswoman Lt. Col. Avital Leibovich.

snuffysmith

at 12:55 on November 4th, 2009

More News On Israel's Seizure Of An Arms Shipment To Hezbollah

Israel says commandos intercept arms shipment -- AP
Israel seizes ship 'carrying weapons for Hezbollah' -- The Guardian
Military: Israel navy captures arms ship -- Washington Post
Israel detains ship loaded with weapons -- CNN
Israel intercepts ship carrying weapons: military -- AFP
Israeli navy intercepts arms ship - military -- Reuters
Peres: Capture of ship shows Syria, Iran's true intentions -- Jerusalem Post
Owners of Hezbollah-bound arms ship: We didn't know about weapons -- Ynet News

tikun

at 12:58 on November 4th, 2009

Thanks Snuffysmith

snuffysmith

at 20:13 on November 4th, 2009

Iran, Syria reject Israeli claims over arms cargo: Contrary to Israeli claims, "the ship was not carrying Iranian-made weaponry for Syria or Lebanon," but was in fact carrying Syrian-made items for consumption in Iran.