The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday the thwarting of a "terrorist" plot by groups linked to the regime of ousted President Bashar al-Assad, which aimed to bomb the Mar Elias Church in Tartous Governorate in the west of the country.
This came according to a statement published by the ministry on Telegram, quoting the commander of the Internal Security Forces in Tartous, Abdel Aal Mohammed Abdel Aal.
Abdel Aal indicated that the Special Tasks Unit carried out "a qualitative security operation, following a precise and intensive monitoring and surveillance operation."
He explained that this operation came "based on accurate intelligence information received by the Internal Security Forces Command in Tartous Governorate, indicating that an outlaw group linked to remnants of the former regime had been monitoring the Maronite Maronite Church in the village of Al-Kharibat, in the Safita area in the Tartous countryside."
He noted that their surveillance was "in preparation for carrying out a terrorist act involving the detonation of explosive devices inside the church."
He explained that the operation "led to the arrest of two members of the cell who were on their way to carry out the criminal attack," adding, "Our men prevented the terrorist plan from being completed."
He added, "During the operation, an explosive device prepared for detonation was seized, along with papers bearing threats and intimidation to the residents of the area, and a black flag."
In late June, a suicide bomber from the terrorist organization ISIS opened fire inside St. Elias Church in Damascus, then detonated himself with an explosive vest, killing 25 people and wounding 63.
Days later, the Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of members of the cell responsible for the attack, led by a Syrian named Muhammad Abdul-Ilah al-Jumaili, known as Abu Imad al-Jumaili, who was known as ISIS's "governor of the desert."
On December 8, 2024, Syrian factions took control of the country, ending 61 years of Ba'ath Party rule, including 53 years of control by the Assad family.
Since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime (2000-2024), the Syrian Security Directorate and relevant authorities have continued to pursue those suspected of involvement in terrorist activities, crimes, and violations.
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