BEIRUT: Lebanese authorities have arrested a five-member network, including three Syrians and two Lebanese nationals, over allegations that the group was preparing attacks against Syrian government forces in the country’s coastal region, according to a Lebanese judicial source cited by AFP.
The source said those detained include a former Syrian intelligence colonel. Security forces reportedly seized machine guns, hand grenades, sniper rifles and explosives during the operation.
According to the initial investigation, the network was allegedly directed by a former Syrian army general who is currently living in Moscow and is believed to be close to ousted Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
The suspects are also alleged to have received military training in eastern Lebanon from fighters affiliated with Hezbollah, which was a major ally of Assad during the Syrian civil war. Hezbollah has previously denied having a presence or conducting activities in Syria.
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Investigators believe the group was preparing operations against Syrian government forces in the coastal region, an area with a predominantly Alawite population that has previously experienced sectarian violence.
The arrests come at a sensitive time for relations between Lebanon and Syria. The two neighboring countries have been working to rebuild ties after years of tension during Assad’s rule, with officials on both sides publicly expressing support for a new phase of cooperation.
The case could add another layer of complexity to those efforts, particularly if investigations establish cross-border networks involving former Syrian military or intelligence personnel and armed groups operating in Lebanon.
Hezbollah’s historic involvement in the Syrian conflict also remains a significant factor. The group openly backed Assad after 2013, with Syria serving as an important route for weapons and logistical support from Iran. Following Assad’s removal, Syria’s new authorities adopted a strongly anti-Hezbollah position and have repeatedly announced arrests of individuals allegedly linked to the group.
The latest arrests therefore carry significance beyond the alleged plot itself. They highlight the continuing security challenges created by the legacy of Syria’s civil war, as former military networks, armed factions and political alliances continue to influence relations between Beirut and Damascus.
Lebanon also handed a former Syrian major general to Damascus in August after his arrest under a Syrian warrant issued in absentia. Damascus had accused him of murder and crimes against humanity allegedly committed during his military service.
The developments underscore the difficulty facing both countries as they attempt to establish a more stable relationship while dealing with unresolved security cases and networks connected to Syria’s turbulent past.
