Arabic version: سوريا تقول إن خلية مرتبطة بحزب الله استهدفت مصفاة حمص

According to Al Jazeera, Syrian security forces said they foiled a plot to target the Homs oil refinery in central Syria and arrested a cell they linked to Lebanon’s Hezbollah armed group. Syria’s General Intelligence Service said the operation was conducted with the Internal Security Forces.

The intelligence service described the action as a “preemptive security operation” in a post on X. It identified two people by the initials M S and B Sh, without stating when or where the arrests occurred. Authorities said they seized explosive devices that had been prepared to carry out the alleged plot.

Hezbollah denied the accusations, saying it has no presence in Syria and is not involved in activity that undermines the country’s security and stability. The group fought alongside former President Bashar al-Assad’s forces during Syria’s nearly 14-year civil war, but its relations with Damascus have deteriorated sharply since his overthrow in 2024.

Syrian authorities have previously accused Hezbollah of alleged planned assassinations, rocket attacks and arms smuggling. The Homs facility is one of Syria’s two oil refineries, alongside the Baniyas refinery, and has a key role in securing petroleum products.

In a separate announcement, the General Intelligence Service said it arrested two suspected ISIL members in Deir Az Zor on Sunday. It said investigations linked the detainees to a series of assassinations, including the shooting of defence ministry member Ibrahim al-Jassem near the al-Rashid mosque in Mayadin. Security forces said weapons and ammunition were seized from the cell’s hideout and investigations were continuing.