Israel seizes Turkish weapons ship meant for Egypt unrest

[A.V.]

IDF seizes arms vessels en route to Egypt
Published: 03.15.11, 12:27 / Israel News

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Israel's Navy seized a vessel sailing under the Liberian flag 200 miles off the coast of Israel. Arms containers were found on board the ship. Soldiers quickly seized control of the ship and did not meet resistance by the crew.

The vessel was on its way from Turkey to the Alexandria Port in Egypt. It is estimated the weapons were intended for Gaza Strip terror groups. (Ynet)
The IDF Spokesman stated Tuesday that as far as they know Turkey is not involved with the arms vessel captured 200 miles west of the Israeli coast, in spite of the fact that the ship sailed from a Turkish port. It is believed that the weapons found on the ship were intended for Gaza.

The Israeli Navy took control of the ship without any resistance from the ship's crew. The ship is being towed to the Ashdod port. (Ynet)

 

[Nonynon]

Thx for posting this.
Also, the ship belonged to a German company:

Earlier on Tuesday, IDF Chief of Staff Benny Gantz informed Ehud Barak of the weapons found on the ship. The IDF and the Foreign Ministry informed German authorities of the arrest as the ship belongs to a German company as well as the government of Liberia.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4042591,00.html

No idea why it went through Turkey.
And I wouldn't be surprised if those weapons weren't meant for Gaza but for some other groups like Muslim brotherhood instead. They weren't going for the Egypt army after all.

 

[Nonynon]

I take that back, the weapons found the the ship were Chinese Anti ship weapons (radar guided C-704 + 60 and 120mm mortars ). Sounds more likely to be used by Hamas in Gaza. There were also Farsi helpbooks with the weapons that tell of an Iranian source. The crew as well as the captain of the ship are said to be very surprised and happy to see the weapons taken off their ships, so they claim they had nothing to do with it.
There is fear that the Iranian ships that sailed through the suetz lately did the same - drop weapons in Egypt that would later be sent to Gaza through the many tunnels.
Also, military officials say there were many ships who came to Egypt lately and its highly likely that those kind of weapons have already been passed through Egypt and into Gaza quite often.
Will be quite scary here if they start lunching stuff more sophisticated then rockets.

 

[SHASH2K2]

Any Ideas about which Organizations were behind these shipments. It means Chinese are proliferating weapons to irresponsible powers.

 

[pmaitra]

Thanks for the information A.V.; now the question is whether, and if yes, what quantity of weapons were shipped to the anti-Gaddafi factions in Libya.

 

[Nonynon]

The cargo is said to have come originally from Iran, then went into Syria, then Turkey, then headed for Egypt when they were caught.
So its probably an Iranian-Hamas thing. Iran probably got the weapons straight from China. That's usually how the terrorists get those weapons, from Russia or China to a terror supporting country and from there to terrorist groups. But Russia started showing signs of stopping that policy (make arm deals with Israel and in return to stop selling Iran missiles) so maybe soon China will do the same.

 

[Someoneforyou]

Footage of Navy's Interception of Victoria
ISRAEL - 15 MARCH 2011

Naval Commandos succeeded in intercepting the Victoria ship carrying large amounts of weapons to terrorist operatives in the Gaza Strip

Israeli Navy soldiers caught the cargo ship Victoria on Tuesday morning (Mar. 15) carrying Iranian weapons intended to be used by terrorist operatives in the Gaza Strip. The operation was completed successfully thanks to continuous intelligence and operational activity in the Navy to thwart smuggling attempts.

The Victoria was intercepted at a distance of 200 miles west of Israel's shores. Containers holding various weapons were found on the deck of the ship. The interception was done quickly and without resistance from the crew. Afterward the ship was led by the Navy to Israel's shores in order to continue searches and undertake a thorough investigation of the cargo.



Source: Israel Defense Forces

 

[Someoneforyou]

Prime Minister on the seizure of the Victoria, "The origin of the weapons was Iran"
ISRAEL - 15 MARCH 2011

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explains that weapons being smuggled on board the Victoria were part of Iran's efforts to arm the Gaza Strip. Defense Minister Ehud Barak accuses radical elements of trying to undermine regional stability

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday (Mar. 15) referred to the IDF's success in thwarting the smuggling of weapons on board the Victoria cargo vessel.

"We had reasonable grounds to believe that there were weapons on board which were intended to be used to harm Israeli citizens," Netanyahu said.

"The origin of the weapons was Iran, which is trying to arm the Gaza Strip," the prime minister continued. "The seizure was made at sea according to international laws and the ship is being led to Ashdod." Netanyahu further added that Israel has updated all the countries involved in the situation.

Earlier, Defense Minister Ehud Barak praised the Shayetet 13 and navy soldiers who were involved in the seizure of the ship, which was on its way from Turkey to Egypt loaded with weaponry intended to be used by terror organizations operating in the Gaza Strip. Along with IDF intelligence and operations officers, Barak had been monitoring the movement of the vessel over recent days.

"The IDF and naval soldiers today prevented the smuggling of weapons to the Gaza Strip, which were supposed to be used to against Israeli citizens," Barak said. "The purpose of the smuggling was to harm Israel's security and IDF soldiers acted in order to defend the security of the state."

Barak emphasized that "the attempt to smuggle weapons into Gaza shows that radical elements are continuing attempts to attack Israel and continuing to act to undermine stability in the area. I congratulate Chief of Staff Lt. Gen Benny Gantz, Navy Commander Maj. Gen. Eliezer Marom and the soldiers of the navy for this successful operation. The IDF and defense establishment will continue to act with determination everywhere in order to defend the state."

On Tuesday morning, Lt. Gen. Gantz referred ambiguously to the IDF's activities to prevent weapons smuggling by sea, saying that "in recent months, great efforts have been made to prevent this phenomenon."

Shayetet 13 soldiers seized the Victoria cargo vessel 200 miles off the coast of Israel on Tuesday morning, encountering no opposition from the ship's crew. The ship is currently being led to Israel.

Shayetet 13 soldiers seized the Victoria cargo vessel 200 miles off the coast of Israel on Tuesday morning, encountering no opposition from the ship's crew.

Source: Israel Defense Forces

 

[Someoneforyou]

Anti-ship Missiles and Guidebooks in Persian Found on Victoria
ISRAEL - 15 MARCH 2011

Among the weapons found on the Victoria on Tuesday (Mar. 15) were missiles with far longer range and the ability to operate automatically, posing a threat to anyone in their vicinity

Among weapons found on the deck of the Victoria on Tuesday (Mar. 15), Navy Commando 13 soldiers found C-704 anti-ship missiles equipped with radars and a range of 35 kilometers. "These are strategic weapons. If Hamas gets its hands on them they would seriously damage strategic infrastructure at sea and at shore," said Israel Navy Chief Brig. Gen. Rani Ben-Yehuda.

According to Brig. Gen. Ben Yehuda, these types of missiles are dangerous not just to Navy ships but also to civilian vessels usually arriving at the Ashdod Harbor. "Because the missiles can be programmed to work automatically, they pose a threat to any additional targets within their range. They are easier to control and mobilize than previous missiles," he explained.

According to IDF intelligence gathering, Hamas does not currently carry missiles of this type in the Gaza Strip. That said, The Hezbollah terrorist organization in Lebanon does have similar capabilities.

The Navy Chief added that guidebooks in Farsi were found on the ship along with other symbols of the Army of the Guardians of the Islamic Revolution, another indication that the Victoria was an Iranian attempt to shift the order of power in the Middle East.

As many as 50 tons of weapons discovered

The Victoria carried as many as 50 tons of weapons, an amount similar to that of the Karin A, a ship caught by the IDF sailing to the Palestinian Authority in 2002. According to the Israeli Navy, this is only a preliminary estimate and weaponry found on the ship will be checked only after the Victoria docks at the Ashdod port. As mentioned, along with the strategic weapons found on the ship, a large amount of 60 and 120 mm mortar shells were found as well.

Brig. Gen. Ben Yehuda said in a briefing that those sending weapons to the Gaza Strip are highly motivated to do so through Egypt. "To say we catch all the attempts at smuggling weapons to the Gaza Strip would be arrogant and untrue. With that, we are doing everything we can. This latest seizing furthers the need to interrogate ships," added Brig. Gen. Ben Yehuda stressing that, "We are operating at the heart of the ocean, both the Mediterranean and in others."

Catching Victoria emphasizes the importance of the maritime blockade on the Gaza Strip. "There is huge potential in smuggling weapons by sea, both in because of the simplicity of route and the large quantities it enables to smuggle. If we allow free entry of ships into the Gaza Strip, weapons will come in droves to terrorist operatives in the Gaza Strip," added the Chief of the Navy.

As far as international law, he says the IDF is operating completely in accordance with the rules . "From the first step of questioning and gathering the facts to the interception itself, there was complete cooperation with the captain, allowing Naval Commandos to reach the ship using the ship's ladders. The ship did not know about the cargo and was surprised by it. We believe Turkey and Egypt were as well."


Navy Commando 13 soldiers found C-704 anti-ship missiles equipped with radars and a range of 35 kilometers.

These types of missiles are dangerous not just to Navy ships but also to civilian vessels usually arriving at the Ashdod Harbor.

Source: Israel Defense Forces

 

[Someoneforyou]

Weapons-Carrying Ship Victoria Anchored at Ashdod
ISRAEL - 16 MARCH 2011

The ship Victoria was anchored at the Israeli port of Ashdod having been intercepted and discovered to be carrying around 50 tons of weapons to the Gaza Strip

The weapons-carrying ship, Victoria, intercepted by Israeli Navy commandos on Tuesday (Mar. 15) was anchored at the port of Ashdod the same night. The IDF will carry out thorough searches of the cargo on board containing around 50 tons of different weapons. Later, the cargo will be unloaded and its contents presented to media outlets and foreign ambassadors.

The Victoria was intercepted approximately 200 miles west of Israeli shores, boarded swiftly and with no resistance from its crew. The ship was found with containers holding various types of weaponry, including strategic weapons such as C-704 anti-ship missiles equipped with radar and with a flight range of 35 kilometers. In addition to strategic weaponry, large quantities of 60 and 120-millimeter mortar shells were also found on the Victoria.

Israel security forces expressed satisfaction over the operation's success, which thwarted the smuggling of the weaponry to the Hamas terrorist organization in the Gaza Strip. The weaponry would have bolstered terrorist infrastructure at sea and on shore and directly threatened the Israeli Navy and civilian vessels at the port of Ashdod.

The Victoria was intercepted on Tuesday (Mar. 15) and found to be carrying 50 tons of weaponry bound for the Gaza Strip .

Source: Israel Defense Forces

 

[Nonynon]

The list of weapons from the ship:

* 230 mortar shells, 120 mm
* 2,270 mortar shells, 60 mm
* 6 C-704 anti-ship missiles
* 2 radar systems manufactured in England
* 2 launchers
* 2 hydraulic mounting cranes for radar system
* 66,960 bullets for the Kalashnikov, 7.62 millimeter

from http://idfspokesperson.com/2011/03/16/list-of-weaponry-found-on-the-victoria/

 

[Daredevil]

What's wrong with Iran?. Why don't they mind their own business?. Some one needs to knock some sense into that nut case Ahmadinejad.

 

[Nonynon]

Also looks like Britain needs to be more responsible...

 

[Someoneforyou]

Chief of Staff, "The War on Weapon Smuggling Continues"
ISRAEL - 16 MARCH 2011

Weapons found aboard the Victoria were thoroughly searched. As many as 230 mortar shells sized 60 to 120-mm with a range of 10 kilometers were found. Minister of Defense, "A very dangerous attempt was thwarted"

The IDF presented the Iraninan weaponry found on Victoria on Wednesday (Mar. 16), after the ship docked in Ashdod the previous. In three, large cargo containers, six ready-to-be-launched C-704 ani-ship missiles were found, two launchers, two exterior launchers and two launch pads.

Additionally, 230 mortar shells sized 60 to 120-mm with a range of 10 kilometers were found, 2,260 mortar shells of the same size but with a range of 2.5 kilometers and as many as 74,889 bullets for AK-47 rifles. The weaponry was concealed behind sacs of lentils and cotton, spread throughout 36 containters overall.

"The interception of this weapons-carrying ship gives an answer to all those who were dubious, attacked and criticized Israel about intercepting ships attempting to reach the Gaza Strip," stressed the Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, who'd seen the weapons found. The Prime Minister added saying, "This is our duty, not just our right, to stop these ships and strip them of their weapons, which came from Iran. They passed through Syria and were on their way to terrorist operatives in the Gaza Strip with a goal of harming citizens of the State of Israel."

Minister of Defense, Ehud barak, congratulated the Chief of Staff on the success of the Naval Commando's operation and addressed their discovery saying, "A very dangerous attempt was thwarted, and I have no doubt that the otherside will continue trying to acquire these weapons. The missiles caught could have changed the face of the activities at the Gaza shores, to destroy ships and vessels."

According to him, "We are dealing with an axis that consists of Iran, Syria and Hezbollah trying to strengthen terrorist operatives in the Gaza Strip. The aerial struggle against them continues as well as those at sea, on land and in every place and every direction both near and far. It will continue and id a crucial battle."

The Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Benny Gantz, was briefed about the weapons as well and said the Naval Commando's activities are done "quietly, modestly and with determination. What we are seeing here is the final result. We don't need to be proud of these successes but to be satisfied by professional achievements. There won't always be successes, this war will continue. We need to work from afar and in the region, overtly and hidden, in order to prevent weapon smuggling."

Commander of the Navy, Maj. Gen. Eliezer Marom, addressed the success of the operation.

"Weapons are smuggled through the Red Sea and sometimes through the Mediterranean. On this ship we found a relatively small amount, but these weapons are different from anything we've seen to date," he said and added that the missiles found today, "Distrupt balance, weaponry that can cause harm to Navy ships, civilian vessels and some of the natural gas reserves in Israel's shores."


''The interception of this weapons-carrying ship gives an answer to all those who were dubious, attacked and criticized Israel about intercepting ships attempting to reach the Gaza Strip''.

Source: Israel Defense Forces