DAMASCUS — Syrian authorities said Sunday they arrested a member of what they described as a “terrorist cell” in the northwestern province of Latakia, as part of ongoing security operations targeting remnants of the former Assad-era security apparatus.

The Interior Ministry said the suspect, identified as Basel Issa Ali Jamahiri, was detained in the village of Duweir Ba‘bada in the Jableh countryside on charges of belonging to a group known as “Saraya al-Jawad,” which authorities say is affiliated with former special forces commander Suheil al-Hassan.

The ministry said several weapons and quantities of ammunition hidden in multiple locations were seized during the operation.

Al-Hassan was a senior commander in the army of ousted president Bashar al-Assad and is widely associated with the regime’s violent repression of anti-government protests following the outbreak of Syria’s uprising in 2011.

He has been linked to large-scale military operations, including the use of barrel bombs, against opposition-held areas.

According to the ministry, the arrest was part of a wider security operation conducted Wednesday by the Internal Security Command in Latakia province.

Earlier that day, authorities announced the seizure of improvised explosive devices and various weapons during raids targeting the same cell. One member was arrested and three others were “neutralized,” the ministry said.

The operations come as Syria’s new leadership moves to tighten security nationwide and pursue individuals accused of attempting to destabilize the country after the collapse of the former regime.

Assad, who ruled Syria for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia earlier this year, ending Baath Party rule that had been in place since 1963. A transitional administration led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa was formed in January. — Agencies