Syria Says It Foiled Hezbollah-Linked Plot to Bomb Homs Oil Refinery
Syrian authorities say two suspects were arrested and explosives seized. Hezbollah denies involvement and says it has no presence in Syria.
Syrian authorities said they had foiled a plot to bomb the Homs oil refinery, arresting two people they described as members of a Hezbollah-linked cell and seizing explosives allegedly prepared for the attack.
The General Intelligence Service said the operation was carried out with Syria's Internal Security Forces. Authorities announced the arrests Tuesday but did not give the time or location of the operation.
Hezbollah denied the accusations, saying it has no presence on Syrian territory and is not involved in activities that undermine Syria's security or stability. The alleged connection to the Lebanese group has not been independently verified.
The Homs refinery is one of Syria's two main refineries and is important to the country's fuel supply. The other, at Baniyas on the Mediterranean coast, is undergoing maintenance, according to AFP.
The announcement follows attacks on Syria's energy infrastructure. An oil-products pipeline running from Baniyas to Homs was damaged near the village of Hadida in October, causing a fuel leak. Syrian authorities described that incident as sabotage.
Hezbollah fought alongside former President Bashar al-Assad's forces during Syria's civil war. Relations with Damascus have deteriorated since his government was overthrown in December 2024. Syrian authorities have since accused the group of involvement in several plots, allegations Hezbollah has denied.