Syria busts Hezbollah-linked cell in Damascus area, seizes arms

DAMASCUS, Syria — Syria says that its forces dismantled a cell affiliated with Lebanon’s Iran-backed Hezbollah terror group, a key ally of the ousted president, Bashar al-Assad.

“Specialized units in cooperation with the general intelligence service… were able to arrest a terrorist cell belonging to the Hezbollah militia that was active” in the Damascus countryside, a Syrian Interior Ministry statement says, quoting a local commander.

“Preliminary investigations showed that the cell members underwent training in military camps in Lebanese territory, and were planning to carry out operations inside Syrian territory that threaten national security and stability,” the statement says.

Forces seized ammunition and weapons, including Grad-type rockets, launchers, and anti-tank missiles, it says, adding the case was referred to the judiciary.

Times of Israel staff contributed to this report.