The Beirut port explosion remains a deep scar in Lebanon’s collective memory, symbolizing years of negligence and collusion that culminated in one of the most devastating disasters in modern history. Behind the blast, new revelations point to a complex network of smuggling and complicity, with the former Syrian regime and allied Lebanese militias allegedly playing a central role in the arrival of explosive materials in Lebanon.

According to Nidaa Al-Watan newspaper, security reports and witness testimonies indicate that the shipment of ammonium nitrate, which triggered the explosion, was not merely an abandoned cargo but part of a broader operation with direct military applications. As investigators continue to uncover new details, questions persist about the extent of involvement and the hidden dimensions of the tragedy, which continues to cast a long shadow over Lebanon and the wider region.

According to sources familiar with Syria’s judicial administration, authorities have launched an investigation into the former Syrian regime’s involvement—alongside Iranian-backed Lebanese militias—in the import and smuggling of ammonium nitrate. The material, commonly used in explosives, was reportedly part of military stockpiles, mixed with fuel to create low-cost but highly destructive bombs.

Testimonies from former Syrian officers suggest that high-ranking figures in the regime coordinated the transfer of these shipments through Beirut’s port under direct orders from Maher al-Assad, the powerful brother of ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad. These shipments were allegedly used in the production of barrel bombs, a weapon that has devastated Syrian cities and claimed thousands of civilian lives.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights estimates that around 50,000 barrel bombs were dropped throughout the Syrian conflict, while Amnesty International has documented the Syrian military’s systematic use of these explosives, particularly in opposition-held areas such as Aleppo, Idlib, and Eastern Ghouta.

The investigation into the ammonium nitrate shipments is widening, with new evidence reportedly placing high-ranking Syrian, Lebanese, and Iranian officials under scrutiny. Syrian sources say a list of implicated figures will be released once the probe is completed.

Authorities are also examining links between Lebanese individuals and an international network suspected of facilitating the entry of ammonium nitrate into Lebanon and its subsequent transport to Syria, despite the well-documented risks of its misuse.

Syrian authorities have vowed to expose all those responsible for smuggling ammonium nitrate, including political and legal actors who played a role in enabling its entry into Syria and its use in attacks against civilians.

However, as investigations continue, the question remains whether justice will be served. In Lebanon, where political paralysis has often shielded those responsible for major crimes, the case presents a critical test.

The Beirut port explosion was not just a national tragedy but a crisis with deep regional implications. As new details emerge, pressure is mounting for Lebanon to launch its own credible investigation into how these dangerous materials entered the country, who facilitated their storage, and how they were ultimately used. With accountability still elusive, the case stands as a defining moment for both Lebanon and Syria, demanding urgent and decisive action.