The Israeli Navy has foiled an apparently major weapons smuggling operation in the Red Sea and arrested suspects for questioning, according to security forces who lifted a gag order Tuesday on the eight-month-old counterterrorist operation.
The IDF added that the suspects have been released. Israeli media reported that they probably are from Yemen, which raises the possibility that the smugglers are connected with Taliban or Al Qaeda.
The length of the investigation and gag order before the announcement indicates that the arms and weapons were heavy-duty, possibly anti-tank or anti-aircraft missiles.
The Red Sea borders Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Egypt, Jordan and the Sinai Peninsula, as well as reaching the port of Eilat.
Security officials were tight-lipped about the capture of the ship and weapons, but it is a good guess that the weapons were destined for terrorists in the Sinai Peninsula, possibly for smuggling into Gaza.