Argentine detains Syrians, Lebanese suspected of terrorist plot
QAMISHLI, Syria (North Press) – Argentine authorities arrested three individuals with Syrian and Lebanese citizenship suspected of planning a terrorist attack in Argentina, the country’s security minister and federal police confirmed on Wednesday.
The authorities have not disclosed the identities of the suspects, or the details of their arrest, but they are currently investigating the purpose of their visit to Argentina. Additionally, they are examining a 35-kilogram package that was being sent from Yemen to one of the suspects.
“Indications arose of the possible entry into the country of three citizens of Syrian and Lebanese origin who, after arriving on different flights, were to meet in the city of Buenos Aires to plan an eventual terrorist act,” Argentina’s Federal Police said in a statement.
The Argentinian authorities further explained that the suspects had previously entered Argentina with passports from other countries.
This incident came two months ahead of arresting three men suspected of belonging to the Iran-backed militant group Hezbollah by Brazilian authorities. The arrest was made after a tip-off from the U.S. Federal Bureau of Investigation. One of the detainees had filmed synagogues and a Jewish cemetery in Brazilia.
Due to the escalating conflict in Gaza, there are concerns about potential threats targeting Israel’s embassy or other Jewish entities in Argentina. This concern arises from the fact that the Israel’s embassy and the Argentine Israelite Mutual Association, a Jewish community center, were previously targeted in two devastating attacks in 1992 and 1994, resulting in the loss of nearly 100 lives.