Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al-Sharaa: We thank tribes for their stance, not all Druze can be judged for actions of a few.
Al-Sharaa: Syria not a testing field for secessionist plans.
Al-Sharaa: We laud US for role in securing ceasefire, Syrian state is only side capable of preserving country's sovereignty.
Al-Sharaa: Israeli intervention is one of reasons of return of tensions in Suweida following blatant bombing of South and Damascus.
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa: We received international calls to intervene in situation in Suweida and restore security.
Syrian Presidency warns of any violation of ceasefire, says it will constitute a violation of sovereignty.
Syrian Presidency urges all sides to commit to immediate ceasefire and halt to combat across all axes.
Syrian Presidency announces immediate, comprehensive end to combat in Suweida.
Director of Nasser Medical Complex: 25 martyrs, more than 70 wounded at aid point transferred to hospital.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Israeli bombing on aid distribution point results in 12 martyrs in a preliminary toll.

HTS, armed groups assault Sayyeda Zeinab Shrine, St. Georges Church

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Al Mayadeen English
  • 11 Dec 2024 15:51
  • 8 Shares
3 Min Read

The armed groups that took control of Syria following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad have attempted to assault the Sayyeda Zeinab Shrine and have disrupted mass in a Damascus church.

Listen
  • x
  • A man walks inside the Sayyidah Zaynab Shrine, in the Sayyidah Zaynab suburb of Damascus, Syria, Friday, May 19, 2017. (AP)
    A man walks inside the Sayyeda Zeinab Shrine, in the countryside of Damascus, Syria, on May 19, 2017. (AP)

Following the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad from Damascus, armed groups led by Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) and others have seized control of Syria, marking the beginning of a new chapter in the country’s history.

Initial reports suggested measures to ensure the security of the Sayyeda Zainab shrine in Damascus and churches across Syria, emphasizing the need to prevent sectarian violence. However, videos posted online have revealed a starkly different reality.

On Wednesday, armed groups attempted to assault the Sayyeda Zainab Shrine, a sacred site that houses the tomb of Zeinab bint Ali, granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and a destination for Muslim pilgrims.

Footage showed armed men attempting to enter the shrine with their weapons but were forced to remain in the courtyard and were banned from entering the Shrine where the tomb is located. According to Al Mayadeen's exclusive sources, this occurred after the shrine’s defenders withdrew to avoid escalating tensions, having been assured that the site would remain protected from desecration.

It is worth noting that some members remain in the shrine to ensure it remains operational and open for pilgrims and to guarantee its protection.

Footage circulated online showing militants storming the Sayyeda Zeinab Shrine in the countryside of #Damascus, violating the religious sanctity of the shrine.#Syria pic.twitter.com/FjEe4TMiKn

— Al Mayadeen English (@MayadeenEnglish) December 11, 2024

Additionally, reports from Damascus indicated that armed groups disrupted a mass at St. George's Syriac Orthodox Church, forced the priest to vacate the premises, and looted the church’s treasury and donation box, further deepening concerns over the state of religious sites under their control.

Related News

US Special Envoy says ceasefire reached between al-Sharaa, Netanyahu

Syrian Presidency vows to restore stability through law in Sweida

🇸🇾 Syrian rebels looted the treasury and donation box of St. George’s Syriac Orthodox Church in Damascus, disrupting religious services and preventing the Mass from being held. The priest was ordered to leave the premises. pic.twitter.com/kNUG25idMB

— DD Geopolitics (@DD_Geopolitics) December 10, 2024

Greek Orthodox Patriarchate: Syria's future must reflect identity

The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch of All the East confirmed on Monday that Syria will remain steadfast despite all the historical challenges it has faced, as "God is in its midst."

The Patriarchate explained that Syria is "at a new crossroads in its history, with the eyes of all focused on a bright future that every Syrian dreams of," hoping that this future will reflect Syria's identity as "the land of civilization and the cradle of history."

It added that this phase "requires wisdom, solidarity, and the pooling of efforts," and emphasized that it will continue its mission of serving humanity and promoting peace and harmony among people "in a country ruled by law and democratic institutions."

The Patriarchate urged every Syrian citizen to fulfill their national duty by working to unite ranks, preserving public and private property, fostering security in their surroundings, exercising self-restraint in the face of challenges, and maintaining calm and reason.

It also called on all Syrians to "extend a hand to those responsible for the welfare of this good country," urging all relevant parties to "control violations and ensure the dignity of every citizen, so we can move together toward a brighter tomorrow."

This statement came after armed groups in Syria announced on Sunday morning that they had taken control of Damascus and prohibited access to government institutions. 

Reuters reported that the new Syrian coalition confirmed it would continue its efforts "to complete the transfer of power to a transitional governing body with full executive powers."

Read more: New regime forces in Syria carry out summary executions in Latakia

  • Syria
  • Shrine of Sayyeda Zainab
  • Damascus
  • Hayat Tahrir al-Sham
  • sayyeda zeinab shrine
  • HTS

Most Read

Algerian nurse stabbed in Germany

Murder of Algerian nurse in Germany sparks outcry, demands for justice

  • Europe
  • 14 Jul 2025
Credible reports, including some from Israeli media itself, indicate that Tel Aviv had pinned its hopes on what can only be described as a delusional plan. (Al Mayadeen English; Illustrated by Batoul Chamas)

Jebraily: Iran strikes rewrote regional deterrence rules - Exclusive

  • MENA
  • 15 Jul 2025
Al-Qassam Brigades fighters confront Israeli soldiers in Beit Lahia, northern Gaza, undated (Al-Qassam Brigades Military Media)

3 Israeli soldiers killed amid Gaza battles: Israeli media

  • Palestine
  • 14 Jul 2025
Al Mayadeen: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

Exclusive: UN Palestine Inquiry members reportedly resigned

  • Politics
  • 15 Jul 2025

Coverage

All
The Ummah's Martyrs

Read Next

All
The US Capitol, Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington (AP)
Politics

Congress set to weaken oversight on foreign US arms sales

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll
US & Canada

Only quarter of Americans say Trump policies helped them: Poll

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank
Palestine

UK charities fund Israeli settlement expansion in occupied West Bank

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from High School hall of fame
Politics

Calls grow to remove Netanyahu from high school Hall of Fame

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS