By: Emre Peker
Turkish authorities today will search a Syria-bound ship that’s carrying explosives, Aksam reported.
The German-owned vessel changed course and docked at Turkey’s southern port of Iskenderun after coming within 80 kilometers (50 miles) of the Syrian port of Tartus, according to the Istanbul-based newspaper.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry, aided by customs and police forces, seized documents from the ship during a brief visit yesterday, when they also identified explosives, military equipment and four other types of cargo, Aksam reported. Customs officers told the newspaper they requested that the military material be unloaded at Iskenderun. The ministry’s press office didn’t immediately respond to phone calls and text messages seeking comment on the report.
The European Union has imposed an arms embargo, among other sanctions, on Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s regime in response to a crackdown on dissent in which the United Nations estimates more than 9,000 people have died in the last 13 months.
Source: Bloomberg
