Syria arrests two suspects in thwarted attack on sole operating oil refinery
Security forces seized explosives intended for the Homs facility, the only active refinery in the country, following recent unclaimed strikes on energy pipelines.
By Giulia Donovan ·
Syrian security forces confirmed on Tuesday that they stopped a planned sabotage attack on the Homs oil refinery. The operation targeted a cell connected to Lebanon’s Hezbollah militia. Authorities said the group intended to blow up the industrial site in central Syria.
The arrest of the two suspected members marks the latest move by Damascus to protect its energy sector. This follows a series of unclaimed attacks on oil and gas pipelines across the country. The Homs refinery holds a unique position in the post-war economy. It is currently the only operational refinery in Syria. A second facility at Banias on the coast is undergoing maintenance, leaving the nation reliant on Homs for fuel production.
The civil war that devastated the country ended in late 2024. Since then, the new leadership has faced ongoing friction with Hezbollah. The Iranian-backed group fought alongside former President Bashar al-Assad during the conflict. Assad has been overthrown, and the group remains a sworn enemy of Israel. Damascus has a history of announcing the dismantling of cells linked to the militia, although Hezbollah has consistently denied such allegations in the past.
Security officials stated that they seized the explosives intended for the attack. They did not specify the type of explosive material or name the two arrested suspects. The domestic intelligence and security forces released a joint statement confirming the plot's foiling. The announcement emphasized the continued focus on neutralizing external threats to national infrastructure.
Recent tensions have escalated with reports of infrastructure damage. On Sunday, the Syrian news agency SANA reported on the foiled plot against the refinery. This news arrived after Damascus reported sabotage attacks in early October. Those earlier incidents targeted an oil pipeline first, followed by a gas pipeline. This pattern illustrates pressure on the country's energy supply.
Diplomatic channels remain open between Syria and Lebanon. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem have both raised the possibility of meeting. Such a meeting could serve as a milestone in the evolving relationship between the new Syrian leadership and the powerful Lebanese militia.
The targeting of the Homs refinery underscores the vulnerability of Syria's energy infrastructure in the wake of the civil war. With the Banias refinery under maintenance, the uninterrupted operation of the Homs facility is vital for the country's economic recovery. The foiled plot aims to protect this critical asset from further disruption.
