Syrian security forces announced they successfully thwarted an alleged plot to attack the Homs oil refinery located in central Syria. Authorities arrested a cell allegedly linked to Lebanon’s Hezbollah armed group during the operation.
Hezbollah Denies Involvement
According to Al Jazeera, the General Intelligence Service (GIS) posted on X that the preventive security mission was executed alongside the Internal Security Forces. The agency released the initials of two detained individuals, M S and B Sh, but omitted specific details regarding the timing and exact venue of the arrests. The agency stated that the operation successfully confiscated explosive devices that the suspects had readied for the attack. In response, Hezbollah issued a statement denying the allegations from Damascus, emphasizing that the group maintains no presence inside Syrian territory and takes no part in actions that threaten the security and stability of the country. Although Hezbollah fought to support former President Bashar al-Assad’s government throughout the prolonged civil war, ties between Damascus and the group have experienced a severe downturn since his downfall in 2024. Syrian officials have previously linked Hezbollah to several other suspected schemes, encompassing planned hits, weapon smuggling, and rocket fire.
Energy Infrastructure and ISIL Arrests
Operating alongside the Baniyas facility, the Homs refinery serves as one of Syria’s dual oil refineries vital for supplying petroleum goods. In a separate security sweep reported by Al Jazeera, the GIS announced on Sunday the capture of two alleged members belonging to an ISIL cell in the Deir Az Zor governorate. Officials reported that inquiries revealed the suspects participated in multiple assassinations across the province, including the fatal shooting of defense ministry member Ibrahim al-Jassem close to the al-Rashid mosque in Mayadin. Security personnel confiscated arms and ammunition from the hideout and noted that inquiries remain ongoing to trace wider connections before presenting the suspects to court. Earlier, on September 27, security forces detained four ISIL cell members connected to various attacks nationwide, while a gas line explosion at the Tishreen station on September 30 temporarily halted operations at three major power stations. State media further reported that an October 15 pipeline incident near Hadida caused a petroleum leak between Baniyas and Homs, marking another strike against energy infrastructure. Additionally, state television noted that security forces prevented a targeted strike on a Damascus countryside police patrol last month by an ISIL cell allegedly behind blasts and targeted killings across Raqqa, Aleppo, Idlib, and Homs. Damascus formally joined the international coalition against ISIL last November.
