Syrian security forces uncovered and arrested (April 19) a terrorist cell that had been planning to launch rockets from southern Syria (Quneitra province) toward Israel (two operatives were arrested and one managed to escape). According to a statement by the Syrian Ministry of Interior, the cell was operated by Hezbollah. In the possession of the cell, a civilian truck was seized, inside which two launchers had been covertly installed, each with five barrels. Ten rockets were found on the truck, covered with a tarp and ready for launch (apparently 107 mm rockets manufactured in Iran and China). The images show that when the launchers were closed, the truck appeared to be a completely innocent civilian vehicle. The Shiite axis in general, and Hezbollah in particular, make extensive use of the tactic of concealing weapons within civilian vehicles. It should be recalled that on September 11, 2025, Syrian internal security forces arrested a terrorist cell in the area of the villages of Sa’sa and Kanaker in southern Syria. According to the reports, it too was operated by Hezbollah. Nineteen Grad rockets, rocket launchers, and additional ammunition were seized. According to various reports, the members of the cell had undergone training by Hezbollah in Lebanese territory. It is evident that despite the changes that have taken place in southern Syria following the rise of the al-Sharaa regime, the potential of the terrorist infrastructure built by Iran through Hezbollah and its local partners over the past decade remains significant and is even being renewed. Integrated operational networks of Hezbollah (the former Golan File Unit), Unit 840 of the Quds Force, and Division 4000 of the IRGC Intelligence Organization have succeeded in building a flexible operational terrorist infrastructure based on local Syrian actors. The Iranians and Hezbollah directly operate the local cells from Iran and Lebanon, or alternatively use a local intermediary, Syrian, who serves as a liaison. In some cases, the operation is even conducted under cover. This terrorist infrastructure enables Iran and Hezbollah (which denied involvement in the captured cell) to continue establishing a foothold in southern Syria and to maintain an ongoing threat along Israel’s border despite the regional dynamics. It should be noted that southern Syria is also home to Palestinian terrorist infrastructures (Hamas, al-Jama’a al-Islamiyya, and PIJ) as well as ISIS cells.
