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Syria says it foiled Hezbollah-linked plot on Homs oil refinery
Syria's Internal Security Forces said Tuesday they disrupted a cell linked to Hezbollah that planned to attack the Homs oil refinery, according to The National and Arab News.
Syrian security agencies said Tuesday they had disrupted a plot they linked to Hezbollah against the oil refinery in Homs, in central Syria1,2.
The Internal Security Forces, working with the General Intelligence Directorate, said the operation stopped a planned attack on the plant, according to statements carried by The National and Arab News1,2. Reuters reported the same government claim; its full article was not available3.
The National, citing Internal Security Forces, said two members of a suspected Hezbollah cell were arrested and explosive devices intended for the attack were seized after surveillance1. Arab News said authorities had not yet given details of the cell's members, the nature of the plot or any arrests2.
Arab News reported that Syrian intelligence had said Sunday it had thwarted a plot against the same refinery without identifying those responsible2.
The Homs facility is among Syria's main refineries and supplies fuel for the domestic market1,2. Arab News noted other recent damage to energy infrastructure, including an Oct. 15 products pipeline between Baniyas and Homs and a gas pipeline blast in Hasakah the same day, which authorities described as sabotage2.
The National said the Tuesday arrests came a day after Foreign Minister Asaad Al Shibani met a Lebanese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri in Damascus on border security and coordination1.
Hezbollah backed former President Bashar al-Assad before his government fell in December 2024 and is not aligned with the current authorities under President Ahmad al-Shara1,2. Syria has repeatedly accused the group of running cells inside the country1,2.
In September, Syrian forces said they arrested three alleged Hezbollah-linked men and seized rocket launchers1,2. After Tuesday's announcement, The National reported Hezbollah "categorically denies" any link to those detained and called on Syrian authorities to guard against efforts to sow discord1. There was no independent confirmation of the plot in the accounts reviewed1,2.
Sources
How it’s being reported
3 sourcesFirst reported by 
The National
The NationalFirstSyria foils 'Hezbollah-linked plot' to blow up oil refinery
Two arrests, seized explosives, and a Lebanese-Syrian border meeting the day before.
Reports Syrian forces arrested two suspected Hezbollah-linked men and seized explosives intended for an attack on the Homs refinery.
Leaves out Sunday intelligence notice and other recent energy-pipeline attacks cited by Arab News.
Syrian authorities foil Hezbollah-linked plot targeting Homs oil refinery
Limited official detail, prior Sunday notice, and other attacks on Syrian energy infrastructure.
Credits General Intelligence and Internal Security with foiling a Hezbollah-linked cell targeting Homs; says member details were not yet given.
Leaves out The specific claim of two arrests and seized explosives reported by The National.
Syria says it foiled Hezbollah plot to attack Homs oil refinery
Leads with what someone said.
Where they agree
- Syrian agencies said Tuesday they foiled a Hezbollah-linked plot against the Homs oil refinery.
- Hezbollah was aligned with Assad and has denied operating in Syria after earlier Syrian accusations.
Where they differ
Whether arrests and explosives were publicly confirmed Tuesday