Damascus, March 5 (SANA) Syrian security forces have foiled a terrorist plot by an ISIS-linked cell that was planning an attack targeting the capital, Damascus, the Interior Ministry said Thursday.
In a statement, the ministry said the operation was carried out by Internal Security forces in the Damascus countryside in coordination with the General Intelligence Directorate and Turkish intelligence services.
Authorities said the operation followed a period of intelligence monitoring that tracked the movements and activities of the suspects before their location was identified and raided.
All members of the cell were arrested and identified as Omar Hashem, Mohammad Hamad and Hussein Khalaf, according to the ministry.
During the operation, specialized engineering units discovered and safely handled a car bomb prepared for remote detonation and parked at a sensitive location. The vehicle contained large quantities of explosives, including TNT and C4, the statement said.
The individuals have been referred to the Counterterrorism Directorate for further investigation to determine possible links to other networks and individuals who may have supported the cell, the ministry added.
On Feb. 10, the Interior Ministry announced that security forces had foiled a terrorist plot in the Mezzeh district of Damascus, arresting members of a cell that had been preparing attacks aimed at destabilizing populated areas.
The operations are part of ongoing security efforts by Internal Security forces to dismantle ISIS cells and protect the country from terrorist attacks.
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