In a proactive action to protect security, the Syrian Ministry of Interior announced the failure of a criminal plan targeting a cleric in the Bab Touma area in Damascus, after monitoring suspicious movements and careful information follow-up.
The Ministry stated that the security forces were able to arrest a group of 5 people, and said that they were linked to “Hezbollah.” They intended to carry out an assassination operation by placing an explosive in front of the targeted person’s house near the Marian Church.
She explained that the concerned authorities had previously arrested a woman who was preparing to carry out the operation, before investigations continued that led to the dismantling of the entire group linked to the conspiracy.
It confirmed that the Counter-Terrorism Department, in cooperation with the Internal Security Command in the Damascus countryside, succeeded in removing the danger and dismantling the bomb before it exploded, without causing any injuries or damage, and indicated that all members of the cell were arrested.
Initial investigations revealed that the members of the group received specialized military training outside the country, which included skills in planting explosives, while investigations are still ongoing to reveal all the details of the case and the parties associated with it, in preparation for presenting them to the competent judiciary.
The Ministry of Interior stressed the continuation of security work to follow up on any activity that threatens stability, in coordination with the competent authorities, with a commitment to enforcing the law and maintaining societal peace.
This operation comes within the framework of strengthening security measures in Damascus in recent months, as the authorities have increased their proactive operations against groups suspected of planning internal attacks. Last March, the agencies announced the thwarting of a plan by a group linked to ISIS, which was followed by coordinated security operations in various regions. This escalation reflects the continuing security challenges, in light of repeated attempts to target sensitive figures or sites within the capital, which requires permanently raising the level of security preparedness.
