Hezbollah denies Syrian claims linking it to foiled assassination plot Damascus

Hezbollah on Sunday denied allegations by the Syrian interior authorities that the group was linked to a cell planning to assassinate a religious figure near Damascus.



In a statement, the Lebanese militant group reiterated that it has "no activity, connection or relationship with any party in Syria" and maintains "no presence on Syrian territory."



The group urged the Syrian interim authorities to verify information carefully, especially given what it called "intelligence actors seeking to ignite tensions between Lebanon and Syria."



Earlier, the Syrian interior authorities said that the counterterrorism directorate had foiled a sabotage plot in the Damascus countryside.



A female cell member was reportedly monitored while attempting to plant an explosive device outside a religious figure's residence near the Mariamite church in the Bab Touma area of Damascus.



It added that the device was dismantled before detonation, with no casualties or damage reported, and all five cell members were arrested.



The Syrian authorities noted that preliminary investigations indicated the cell was linked to Hezbollah, noting that its members had received specialized military training abroad, including in planting explosive devices.