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NICOSIA (Reuters) – A ship bound for Syria from North Korea and detained in Cyprus on an Interpol alert for suspected arms smuggling was carrying air defense systems, Cypriot authorities said on Monday.

The shipment was billed as weather-observation equipment on the freight manifest of the Panamanian-flagged Grigorio 1 and officials said the Syrian government had asked Cyprus to release the seized consignment. – Washington Post

There is nothing in the report that specifically states that North Korea is the source of the equipment but they note that the shipment originated from there. It also made a stop in China.

Interpol had told Cyprus the vessel might be smuggling arms and that it had been loaded in China and North Korea. - BBC News

What kind of meteorological equipment was found?

The ship was carrying 18 truck-mounted mobile radar systems and three command vehicles. “The radars on the 18 trucks appear to be part of an air defense system,” a police spokeswoman said. Pipes also found on board were irrigation pipes, she added.

Hmm, me thinks there must be some heavy weather happening in Syria. Don’t be surprised if the shipment makes its way to its eventual destination as Syria and Cyprus have friendly relations.
Law enforcement is out of the picture here as it has been referred to the Foreign Ministry and the Commerce Ministry. It is now a political issue.

It is good to know that Interpol is on the alert. Nato and the U.S. Naval forces in europe were not involved. I would imagine that the links to North Korea and China will be downplayed for the moment. Perhaps it will be used as leverage in the future. The freighter was flying the Panamanian flag.

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