IN (Israel Navy) intercept Iranian arms ship

IDF Navy uncover Iranian arms on ship en route to Syria
Nov. 4, 2009
Yaakov Katz , THE JERUSALEM POST

 

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.