Kuwaiti authorities announced the arrest of 16 alleged members of Hezbollah Monday evening, as the Iran-backed group faces increasing pressure in the Gulf and at home in Lebanon. 

What happened: Kuwait’s Interior Ministry said it apprehended members of a Hezbollah-affiliated group that allegedly sought to “undermine security in the country and recruit individuals to join the terrorist organization.” The group included 14 Kuwaiti and two Lebanese nationals. Authorities said the suspects were found in possession of firearms, ammunition, drones and drugs. The detainees will be referred to public prosecutors, and the investigation remains ongoing, according to a ministry statement.

Lebanon’s Foreign Ministry condemned Tuesday what it described as a “terrorist plot targeting the sovereignty and security of Kuwait” and reiterated its ban on Hezbollah's military activity announced earlier this month. The ministry declared its “full readiness to cooperate” with Kuwait on the matter, the official National News Agency reported. 

Hezbollah did not immediately comment on the news.