Syria says it arrested two Hezbollah-linked suspects over plot against Homs refinery. Hezbollah denies it

Syria's General Intelligence Service and Internal Security Forces announced Tuesday, Nov. 3, that they had foiled a "terrorist plot" against the Homs oil refinery. They said they arrested two members of a cell "affiliated with the Hezbollah militia" and seized explosive devices prepared for the attack.

The intelligence service posted the announcement on X and called it a "preemptive security operation." The Internal Security Forces said it followed "meticulous follow-up" and was part of an effort to "pursue terrorist cells, foil their plans, and protect vital facilities and the country's economic resources."

Only initials were released for the two detainees: M S and B Sh. Authorities did not say when or where the arrests happened, and did not give the suspects' nationalities.

Hezbollah's denial

Hezbollah rejected the claim "in their entirety" in a statement later Tuesday. It condemned "the repetition of these accusations" and said it "has no presence or connections in Syrian territory and has nothing to do with any activity that undermines Syria's security and stability."

That is the same line the group used after earlier Syrian announcements. After the September arrests, Hezbollah said it "categorically denies" any link to those detained. It urged Syrian authorities to watch for attempts to "stir up tension and sow discord" between Lebanon and Syria.

The account rests on Damascus's word against Hezbollah's. No independent confirmation of the cell's affiliation has surfaced, and no court proceeding or charge has been announced.

A pattern of attacks on energy sites

Tuesday's announcement follows a Sunday, Nov. 1 report from Syrian state news agency SANA that a plot against the same refinery had been thwarted. That report did not name those responsible.

Syria's energy network has been hit repeatedly this autumn. On Oct. 15, an oil products pipeline linking Baniyas and Homs was damaged in what Syrian authorities called sabotage, causing a fuel leak. A gas pipeline in Hasakah province was hit by an explosion the same day, setting off a fire and emergency repairs. No group has claimed either attack. Syrian authorities have not publicly tied those pipeline incidents to the two men arrested Tuesday.

The stakes at Homs are high. By Asharq Al-Awsat's account, it is the only operational refinery in the country, because the coastal Baniyas plant is undergoing maintenance. Other accounts describe Homs and Baniyas as Syria's two main refineries, which supply the domestic market with diesel, fuel oil and kerosene.

Damascus versus Hezbollah

Hezbollah fought alongside Bashar al-Assad's forces for most of Syria's civil war, which ended with his overthrow in December 2024. The leaders now in Damascus fought on the other side, and relations with the group have deteriorated sharply.

Syrian authorities have announced a series of cases since. In February and March 2025 they reported arrests tied to weapons smuggling and Hezbollah-linked cells near Damascus. In September 2025 they announced a cell in Sasa and Kanaker and said they seized 19 Grad rockets, anti-tank missiles and launchers.

This year the announcements have continued. In February, authorities said they dismantled a cell that fired rockets at the Mezzeh military airport. In May, they said they arrested a cell accused of plotting assassinations of senior officials. In July, they reported seizing weapons shipments meant for Hezbollah.

In late September, security forces said they arrested three men and dismantled rocket launchers in the Yarmouk River basin in the southern province of Daraa, which SANA called a Hezbollah "sabotage plot." Hezbollah denied involvement then too.

Other security cases

On Sunday, the General Intelligence Service said it arrested two suspected members of an ISIL cell in Deir ez-Zor. It linked them to a series of assassinations, the latest a shooting of defense ministry member Ibrahim al-Jassem near the al-Rashid mosque in Mayadin. Weapons and ammunition were seized, and investigations are continuing.

On Sept. 27, security forces said they arrested four members of another ISIL cell they accused of planning and carrying out attacks around the country.

Diplomacy in the background

The announcement came a day after Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shibani met a Lebanese delegation led by Deputy Prime Minister Tarek Mitri in Damascus. Syria's Foreign Ministry said they discussed strengthening ties, security coordination and tighter border control.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa and Hezbollah leader Naim Qassem have each raised the possibility of meeting. Neither side has announced a date.

It remains unclear whether Damascus will put anything beyond its own statement on the record. It has not said when the two suspects will be identified or whether charges will follow. It also has not said whether investigators have linked the cell to the earlier pipeline sabotage. Until then, the Hezbollah denial and the Syrian accusation sit side by side, and the refinery at the center of both is still running.