Syria announced on Thursday that its armed forces dismantled a cell allegedly linked to the Iran-backed Hezbollah group from Lebanon, a significant ally of ousted President Bashar al-Assad. The Syrian Interior Ministry stated that specialized units, in collaboration with the general intelligence service, successfully apprehended this so-called terrorist cell in the Damascus countryside.
According to the ministry’s report, preliminary investigations revealed that the cell’s members had undergone military training in camps located within Lebanese territory. Their purported aim was to execute operations within Syria, threatening the nation’s security and stability. Following the arrests, Syrian forces reportedly confiscated a cache of ammunition and weapons, including Grad-type rockets, launchers, and anti-tank missiles. The case has now been referred to the judiciary for further action.
In contrast, Hezbollah has categorically rejected the allegations, asserting that the individuals arrested have no connection to the group. In a formal statement, Hezbollah emphasized that it does not maintain any presence or conduct activities within Syrian territory, reiterating its commitment to the stability of Syria and the safety of its citizens.
Hezbollah’s involvement in the Syrian conflict has been pivotal; the group’s fighters supported Assad in reclaiming territory during the civil war, which commenced in 2011 following the brutal repression of anti-government protests. The group maintained an open alliance with Assad from 2013 until he was ousted last December by an Islamist-led coalition.
Hezbollah has recently faced challenges, particularly after suffering significant setbacks during the war with Israel and losing a crucial supply route from Iran due to the shifting political landscape in Syria.
In a related development, Lebanon and Syria have recently signed an agreement aimed at addressing border security threats, following violent clashes that resulted in ten fatalities. Additionally, this week, the office of Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar indicated that two specialized committees had convened their inaugural meeting in Damascus to engage in discussions surrounding security and judicial matters.
