Syria arrests Hezbollah assassination cell

Syrian authorities announced the arrest of an alleged Hezbollah-linked cell accused of plotting to assassinate senior government figures. The Syrian Ministry of Interior conducted simultaneous security operations across several provinces, leading to the dismantling of the cell and the seizure of military equipment. Hezbollah has vehemently denied these accusations, stating that it has no presence in Syrian territory and suggesting that these claims aim to ignite tensions between the Syrian and Lebanese peoples. This event follows the ousting of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, after which Syria's new authorities have repeatedly reported foiling plots attributed to Hezbollah. Historically, Hezbollah was a key ally of al-Assad, and Syria served as a crucial corridor for Iranian weapons to Hezbollah.