DAMASCUS, Sept 11, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - Syria said Thursday that its forces 
dismantled a cell affiliated with Lebanon's Iran-backed Hezbollah group, a 
key ally of ousted president Bashar al-Assad.

"Specialised units in cooperation with the general intelligence service... 
were able to arrest a terrorist cell belonging to the Hezbollah militia that 
was active" in the Damascus countryside, an interior ministry statement said, 
quoting a local commander.

"Preliminary investigations showed that the cell members underwent training 
in military camps in Lebanese territory, and were planning to carry out 
operations inside Syrian territory that threaten national security and 
stability," the statement said.

Forces seized ammunition and weapons including Grad-type rockets, launchers 
and anti-tank missiles, it said, adding the case was referred to the 
judiciary.

Hezbollah fighters helped Assad claw back territory during Syria's civil war, 
which erupted in 2011 after the repression of anti-government protests.

The Iran-backed group openly backed Assad from 2013 until his ouster last 
December by an Islamist-led alliance.

Hezbollah, heavily weakened in a recent war with Israel, lost a key supply 
route from backer Iran through Syria after the new authorities took power.

In March, Lebanon and Syria signed an agreement to address border security 
threats after clashes left 10 dead.

This week, the office of Lebanese Justice Minister Adel Nassar said two 
specialised committees had held their first meeting in Damascus to discuss 
security and judicial matters.