Syrian Interior Ministry: Foiling of "Terrorist" Plot by Groups Linked to Assad Regime

SadaNews - On Wednesday, the Syrian Interior Ministry announced the foiling of a "terrorist" plot by groups linked to ousted President Bashar al-Assad's regime, which aimed to blow up the "Mar Elias" church in the coastal province of Tartus.

This was stated in a statement reported by the ministry on the "Telegram" platform, citing the head of internal security in Tartus, Abdul Aal Mohamed Abdul Aal.

Abdul Aal indicated that a special task unit carried out "a qualitative security operation, which followed a precise and intensive monitoring and tracking process."

He noted that this operation was "based on accurate intelligence information received by the internal security command in Tartus province, indicating that one of the lawless groups linked to the fallen regime was monitoring the Mar Elias Maronite church in the village of Al-Kharibat in the Safita area of Tartus."

He pointed out that their monitoring was "preparatory for carrying out a terrorist act that involves detonating explosives inside the church."

He explained that the operation "resulted in the arrest of two members of the cell who were on their way to carry out the criminal act," adding, "Our forces prevented the completion of the terrorist plot."

He added: "During the operation, an explosive device prepared for detonation was seized, along with papers containing threats and warnings to the area's residents, as well as a black flag."

In late June, a suicide bomber from the terrorist organization "ISIS" opened fire inside the "Saint Mar Elias" church in Damascus, then detonated himself with an explosive vest, resulting in 25 deaths and 63 injuries.

Meanwhile, the Interior Ministry announced days later the arrest of the members of the cell responsible for the operation, led by a Syrian named Mohammed Abdul Ilah Al-Jumaily, who is also known as Abu Imad Al-Jumaily, and was referred to as the desert emir by "ISIS."