Syrian Forces Thwart Hezbollah Plot to Attack Homs Oil Refinery, Arrest Suspects

Syrian security forces have announced the successful foiling of a plot targeting the Homs oil refinery in central Syria. The operation led to the arrest of a cell reportedly affiliated with Lebanon’s Hezbollah armed group. According to Syria’s General Intelligence Service (GIS), which announced the development on X, the preemptive security operation was conducted in collaboration with the country’s Internal Security Forces. Two individuals, identified by their initials M S and B Sh, were apprehended. The GIS stated that explosive devices, prepared for the execution of the plot, were seized during the operation, though details regarding the exact time and location were not disclosed.

Hezbollah has issued a statement denying the Syrian accusations. The group reiterated its stance that it has no presence on Syrian territory and is not involved in any activities that could compromise Syria's security and stability. While Hezbollah previously fought alongside former President Bashar al-Assad’s forces during Syria’s civil war, relations between the group and Damascus have reportedly seen a sharp deterioration since al-Assad's overthrow in 2024.

This incident follows a pattern of accusations by Syrian authorities against Hezbollah, with previous allegations including involvement in planned assassinations, rocket attacks, and arms smuggling. The Homs refinery is a critical piece of Syria's energy infrastructure, serving as one of the nation's two oil refineries, alongside the Baniyas refinery, and plays a vital role in the supply of petroleum products.

In a separate but related security development, the GIS also reported on Sunday the arrest of two members of a suspected ISIL (ISIS) cell in the Deir Az Zor governorate. Investigations into these detainees reportedly indicate their involvement in a series of assassinations within the province, with the most recent targeting defense ministry member Ibrahim al-Jassem. Weapons and ammunition were discovered at the cell’s hideout, and authorities are continuing their investigations to uncover further links and bring the individuals to justice.

Recent weeks have seen a series of security incidents and foiled plots impacting Syria's infrastructure and security apparatus. On September 27, security forces arrested four members of an ISIL cell implicated in planning and executing attacks across the country. On September 30, the Syrian Electricity Company reported that several power stations, including Deir Ali, Nasiriya, and Tishreen, went offline following an explosion on a gas line at the Tishreen station, disrupting gas supply. Furthermore, on October 15, state media reported damage to the pipeline transporting petroleum products from Baniyas to Homs, near the village of Hadida, resulting in a fuel leak.

Last month, Syrian security forces also reported foiling a plot by an ISIL cell to target a police patrol in Damascus countryside. State television indicated that this group was responsible for various explosions and assassinations in regions including Raqqa, Aleppo, Idlib, and Homs. It is noteworthy that Damascus joined the US-led international coalition against ISIL in November, a coalition formed in 2014 that has conducted operations against the group in both Syria and Iraq.