U.S. Commander Credits Syrian Interception of Hezbollah-Bound Arms

The top U.S. military commander for the Middle East has publicly credited Syria for stopping weapons shipments intended for the Lebanese militant group Hezbollah. Admiral Brad Cooper, who leads U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM), stated that the United States and regional partners share a common goal. He identified this goal as ensuring the disarmament of Hezbollah in Lebanon. The admiral's remarks highlight a rare point of operational agreement. They follow recent Syrian government actions to intercept and seize weapons convoys allegedly destined for Hezbollah. Hezbollah is designated as a terrorist organization by the United States. It maintains a large arsenal and is a powerful political force in Lebanon, with backing from Iran.