The key facts
- Syrian security forces detained two members of an alleged Hezbollah cell and seized explosive devices
- The target, according to the authorities, was the Homs oil refinery — one of the oldest in the country
- Hezbollah denies any connection to the detainees and any presence on Syrian territory
Detention and seizure of explosive devices
Syrian authorities said they had foiled a plan to attack the oil refinery in Homs, which they linked to Hezbollah. On Tuesday, two members of the alleged cell were detained, and explosive devices intended for the attack were seized from them, The National reported citing a statement by Syria's internal security forces. According to the authorities, the operation was 'preemptive' and became possible after 'precise surveillance' of the suspects. The names and nationality of the detainees have not been disclosed.
Hezbollah's denial
On Tuesday, Hezbollah issued a statement rejecting any involvement in the plan to attack the Syrian refinery. It said the group has 'no presence or ties on Syrian territory' and 'does not engage in any activity that undermines Syria's security and stability.' Thus, the Syrian claim remains unverified by independent sources: the two sides present opposing accounts, and it is impossible to verify them from the available publications.
Context: a series of detentions and talks with Lebanon
The Homs refinery, located in the central region of the country, is one of Syria's oldest oil terminals. Hezbollah was a major ally of the former government of Bashar al-Assad, but under President Ahmad al-Sharaa the group is no longer allowed into the country; since the new government came to power in 2024, Damascus has been deliberately pursuing Assad's supporters and trying to convince the United States and the international community that it is capable of eradicating armed groups, which is why alleged Hezbollah fighters have become a frequent target of operations.
A series of detentions and talks with Lebanon
Tuesday's detentions followed a series of similar operations. In late September, officers detained three members of a cell linked to Hezbollah and fully dismantled the rocket launchers in their possession; according to the Sana agency, the men were involved in the group's 'sabotage plan' in the Yarmouk River basin. At the time, Hezbollah also 'categorically denied' any connection to the detainees and called on the Syrian authorities to be attentive to attempts to 'stoke tensions and sow discord' between Lebanon and Syria. In May, there were reports of the detention of an alleged Hezbollah cell as part of raids across the country in a case involving a planned assassination attempt.
Diplomatic background
The detentions took place a day after a meeting between Syria's Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and a Lebanese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri in Damascus. According to Syria's Foreign Ministry, the sides discussed strengthening ties between the two countries, improving security coordination, and tightening border controls. Against this backdrop, Syrian statements about Hezbollah cells and the group's denials take on additional diplomatic context: border security was precisely the subject of the recent talks between the two countries.
