Every Gun Was Taken: Syria Could Fuel Arms Trafficking Crisis
Inkstick Media
1 jul 2025
English
The collapse of the Assad regime in December 2024 triggered widespread looting of military stockpiles across Syria, pushing tens of thousands of weapons into civilian, criminal, and militia hands and fueling a rapidly expanding illicit arms market. Seizures and surrenders between December 2024 and March 2025 reveal extensive circulation of rifles, grenades, RPGs, ATGMs, and MANPADS originating largely from Syrian Arab Army depots. Cross‑border smuggling into Lebanon has surged, aided by established networks involving Hezbollah and local clans, while trafficking toward Jordan remains limited due to the disruption of regime-controlled routes and effective border enforcement. Transitional authorities in Syria have conducted major recovery operations and amnesty campaigns but face persistent instability and economic pressures driving continued weapons sales. Regional dynamics mirror past cases in Libya and Afghanistan, highlighting the risk that Syria becomes a major long-term source of illicit arms. Effective containment will require coordinated border security, support for disarmament efforts, and sustained monitoring across neighboring states to prevent further proliferation and regional destabilization.