The Syrian Interior Ministry claims that specialized units have seized "a complete military arsenal," including ready-to-use explosive devices and RPG rocket launchers. (Credit: Syrian Interior Ministry/Facebook)
The Syrian Interior Ministry announced Tuesday the dismantling of a cell linked to Hezbollah, whose members had "infiltrated Syrian territory after undergoing intensive specialized training in Lebanon," and who were preparing to carry out "a sabotage agenda including targeted assassinations of senior government officials."
"Specialized units, in coordination with general intelligence services, succeeded in delivering a preemptive and decisive blow to a terrorist plot targeting the country’s security and its symbols," the statement said.
The Ministry specified that "a series of simultaneous security operations conducted in the provinces of Damascus, Aleppo, Homs, Tartus, and Latakia made it possible to dismantle an organized cell affiliated with Hezbollah, whose members had infiltrated Syrian territory after intensive specialized training in Lebanon."
According to initial investigations, "the cell was preparing to implement a sabotage agenda including targeted assassinations of senior government officials," the statement added.
Hezbollah's press office categorically denied the unfounded accusations made by the Syrian Interior Ministry. "The repetition of these allegations by the Syrian security authorities, despite our repeated statements affirming that there is no Hezbollah presence on Syrian territory and that it conducts no activities there, raises serious questions and confirms that there are attempts to incite tensions and discord between the Syrian and Lebanese peoples," the statement added.
The party also stated that it "wishes Syria and its people all the best, as well as complete security and stability."
"Any threat to Syria's security is a threat to Lebanon's security," the party continued, asserting that it "has never been a party acting to destabilize the security of any state or to undermine the stability of its people, but has been and will remain in a defensive position against the Zionist enemy and its expansionist projects."
"This enemy of Lebanon and Syria occupies their lands and covets the wealth and resources of their people," the statement concluded.
Hezbollah played a crucial role during Syria's civil war, fighting alongside the army of ousted President Bashar al-Assad for a decade. Under Assad’s rule, Syria was part of the so-called “Axis of Resistance” alliance, set up by Iran against Israel. The country facilitated the transfer of arms and money from Iran to Hezbollah. The new Syrian authorities, who overthrew the Assad regime at the end of 2024, have rejected Iranian influence and are hostile to the party.
Damascus announced last month that it had foiled a plot against a religious figure near a church, "targeting the security of the Syrian capital." Hezbollah at the time rejected those accusations, reiterating that it "has no presence on Syrian soil." In February, Syria also announced it had dismantled a cell responsible for attacks targeting the Mazzeh district in Damascus, claiming the weapons came from Hezbollah, which again denied any involvement.
