Syria’s Internal Security Forces announced on Tuesday that they had foiled a plot to bomb the Homs oil refinery, accusing a cell linked to the Lebanese militia Hezbollah of planning the attack.
In a statement released on official government platforms, the Ministry of Interior said the General Intelligence Service, working jointly with the Internal Security Forces, disrupted the operation after “precise surveillance.” Authorities arrested members of the cell and seized explosives intended for use in the attack. The ministry said the operation was part of ongoing efforts to dismantle terror networks, prevent attacks and protect critical infrastructure and national economic assets.
A security source told Al‑Modon that the cell had received funding and directives directly from Hezbollah to procure weapons, equipment and explosive materials. The source said the aim was to disrupt refinery operations and deepen instability across the country, particularly amid Syria’s ongoing fuel crisis, noting that any strike on oil facilities would severely affect fuel supplies and public services.
According to information obtained by Al‑Modon, most of the arrested individuals are remnants of the former Syrian regime who previously worked with Hezbollah and other Iranian‑backed armed groups. Communication with Hezbollah officials reportedly took place through operatives traveling to and from Lebanon via smuggling routes along the border.
The Homs refinery, located on the western side of the city along the international highway about seven kilometers from the city center, currently operates at an effective refining capacity of roughly 55,000 barrels per day. Since the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024, tensions have escalated between the new Syrian government and Hezbollah, with Damascus repeatedly accusing the group of smuggling weapons across Syrian territory.
Hezbollah issued a statement denying any involvement in the alleged plot, rejecting all accusations made by Syrian security forces. The group said it maintains no presence or operational activity inside Syria and has no connection to actions that undermine Syria’s security or stability.
The statement added that repeating such allegations “does not change Hezbollah’s firm position,” insisting that the group remains focused solely on confronting Israeli aggression against Lebanon and Syria. It argued that countering Israeli expansionism should be the shared priority, and warned against accusations that “serve external interests.”
This article was translated and edited by The Syrian Observer. The Syrian Observer has not verified the content of this story. Responsibility for the information and views set out in this article lies entirely with the author.
