Damascus: Syrian authorities announced on Tuesday the arrest of two individuals linked to the Lebanese Hezbollah militia, accusing them of involvement in a “terrorist plot” aimed at the Homs oil refinery in central Syria. Security officials stated that they successfully foiled the operation before it could be executed.
The Internal Security Forces issued a statement confirming that the General Intelligence Directorate, in coordination with its units, dismantled a cell affiliated with Hezbollah responsible for the scheme. The agency reported the apprehension of the cell members and the seizure of explosive devices intended for use against the facility. Subsequent details clarified that the cell consisted of two individuals belonging to Hezbollah, with only the initials of their names being published.
This announcement follows reports from the official Syrian News Agency (SANA) on Sunday night, which cited intelligence sources stating that a terrorist plot targeting the Homs refinery had been thwarted. The Homs refinery is one of two facilities owned by the state; the other is located in the coastal city of Baniyas.
These events occur amidst a recent series of attacks on energy infrastructure within Syria. According to authorities, several incidents have disrupted power generation and fuel transport. On October 7, the Syrian Petroleum Company reported a “sabotage attack” on an oil pipeline in the northeast of the country. Earlier in October, an explosion near a gas line close to Damascus caused three electricity generation stations to go offline. Additionally, on September 29, an explosion attributed to “sabotage” on gas lines in eastern Syria led to a halt in gas supply to power plants. The authorities have not yet identified the perpetrators behind these specific infrastructural damages.
The current Syrian administration, which took power following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, has previously announced multiple arrests of groups it claims are linked to Hezbollah and the interception of arms shipments destined for the militia. Hezbollah continues to deny any presence or operational activity within Syrian territory.
Historically, Hezbollah began fighting alongside Assad’s forces in April 2013 after the outbreak of the conflict in 2011, utilizing Syria as a primary supply route from Iran, its main backer. Recently, political dynamics have shifted. Hezbollah Secretary-General Naim Qassem stated in August that there was no objection to holding a “public meeting” with the new Syrian leadership. This comment followed remarks by President Ahmad al-Sharaa in June, who suggested that if engaging with Hezbollah served Lebanon’s interests and secured Syrian interests, he saw no reason against sitting at the same table with them.
