Security forces in Syria’s opposition-held northwestern Idlib province announced that they thwarted "terrorist operations and plans" of a "terrorist cell linked to the Syrian regime and Russia."
Suspects involved in the plot were arrested on Saturday.
Spokesperson for the General Security Service in Idlib Diaa al-Omar said the eight-member cell was planning on carrying out attacks and assassinations and locating military positions.
Initial investigations and confessions revealed that the members were involved in several attacks. They provided the regime with pictures and coordinates of the positions of opposition factions, Turkish military bases in Idlib, and other vital and economic areas.
Most of the areas located by the terrorist cell were recently targeted by Russian warplanes, including a sawmill for manufacturing marble and stone in Hafserja, which the cell members described as a military position.
Evidence proved that the cell was involved in transporting and planting explosive devices and recruiting new female members assigned to monitor, collect information, and take photos of the positions.
Omar explained that the regime is seeking to spread chaos and destabilize the security of liberated areas by attempting to carry out some security operations there.
Last December, the General Security Apparatus in Idlib arrested a cell affiliated with the regime that was involved in transporting narcotics to Idlib and the northwestern countryside of Aleppo.
The security apparatus organized an extensive security campaign that included many areas in the Idlib region, including Sarmada, Jisr al-Shughour, and al-Dana, during which many dealers and suspects involved in the operation were arrested. They seized various narcotic pills in their possession.
