Syrian authorities said they thwarted an alleged assassination plot targeting a religious figure in Damascus after dismantling an explosive device and arresting five suspects, according to statements from the Interior Ministry. The Interior Ministry said the operation was carried out jointly by the Counter-Terrorism Department and the Internal Security Command in rural Damascus.
Officials said specialized units tracked what they described as suspicious movements in the capital before identifying a woman allegedly attempting to plant an explosive device outside the home of a religious figure near the Mariamite Church in the Bab Touma district.
Despite speculation in the media, Syrian authorities did not independently confirm the identity of the target in the ministry’s formal statement. The device was dismantled before detonation, and officials said the operation caused no injuries or property damage.
Initial investigations, according to the ministry, found that the five-member cell had alleged links to the Lebanese Hezbollah group. Authorities said the suspects received military training abroad, including instruction in explosive placement techniques. The detainees will be referred to the judiciary after investigators complete the case file.
Questions Remain Around Target and Motive
While pro-government activists and regional media outlets named Rabbi Michael Khoury as the intended victim, independent verification of the claim remained unavailable at the time of reporting. The ministry also did not release the names of those arrested or provide further evidence detailing the alleged connections to Hezbollah.
That lack of public details leaves several key questions unanswered, including the suspects’ movements inside Syria, the chain of command behind the plot and whether the attack was part of a larger campaign targeting religious figures in the capital. Officials said the investigation remains active as security services work to identify any additional conspirators involved and establish the full circumstances surrounding the case.
The alleged plot unfolded in Bab Touma, one of Damascus’ historic Christian quarters, where the Mariamite Church area remains both symbolically and strategically sensitive. The attack would have carried both religious and political implications.
Pattern of Recent Counterterrorism Operations
The announcement follows a series of successful Syrian counterterrorism operations in and around Damascus. In February, the Interior Ministry said it dismantled a separate cell accused of carrying out attacks in the Mezzeh district and near its military airport.
Officials said those suspects were also tied to foreign entities and that seized rockets, launch platforms and drones were traced to Hezbollah. Members of that group confessed to planning additional drone strikes before security forces disrupted the operation.
A month later, the ministry announced another raid targeting an alleged ISIS-linked cell in the Damascus countryside. Syrian officials said that operation, conducted in coordination with Turkish intelligence, led to the arrest of three suspects accused of preparing a car bomb attack in the capital.
Broader Security Pressure in the Capital
The announcement reflects what Syrian authorities describe as an intensified campaign against militant and cells operating in the Damascus region. Officials frequently announced arrests tied to armed activity, incitement and alleged links to both extremist organizations and foreign-backed groups.
For now, Syrian authorities are presenting the operation as another example of their efforts preventing attacks in the capital before they can be carried out, particularly in areas with high religious and symbolic significance.
