Syria intelligence foils ISIS bombing attempt at Sayyeda Zainab shrine
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State news agency SANA publishes footage showing an IS cell, whose plans were reportedly foiled by the General Security Administration.
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A photo shows Syrian security forces holding members of the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group who reportedly attempted to carry out a bombing at the Sayyeda Zainab shrine in Damascus, on January 11, 2025 (SANA)
Syria's Intelligence Directorate thwarted an attempt by the Islamic State (IS) terrorist group to carry out a bombing at the Sayyeda Zainab shrine, a sacred site that houses the tomb of Zainab bint Ali, granddaughter of Prophet Muhammad and a destination for Muslim visitors, in the capital Damascus, state news agency SANA reported on Saturday.
SANA published footage showing an IS cell, whose plans were reportedly foiled by the General Security Administration.
مشاهد تظهر الخلية الداعشية التي تمكنت إدارة الأمن العام بعد معلومات جهاز الاستخبارات العامة من إفشال مخططاتها وإلقاء القبض على أفرادها، قبل قيامها باستهداف مقام السيدة زينب.#سانا pic.twitter.com/l2J9HgceVe
— الوكالة العربية السورية للأنباء - سانا (@SanaAjel) January 11, 2025
A source within Syria's intelligence agency told SANA that intelligence and security forces "succeeded in thwarting an attempt by IS to carry out a bombing" inside the shrine.
The news agency mentioned that the members of the cell were arrested before carrying out the attack.
The source asserted that the agency is utilizing all its resources to counter any attempts to target the Syrian people in all their diversity.
In late July 2023, IS claimed responsibility for two terrorist attacks that targeted the Sayyeda Zainab area, which killed six people and injured at least 20 others as a result of a blast from an explosive-laden motorcycle.
The latest announcement comes amid reports that minorities in Syria are concerned about being subject to attacks by extremists under the pretext of collaborating with ousted President Syrian Bashar al-Assad's regime.
The new Syrian authorities, led by the Hay'at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group, had initially pledged inclusivity and protection for minorities. However, some demands for vengeance against minorities and members of the former regime have surged as displaced Syrians return to towns and cities.
Armed groups attempted to assault Sayyeda Zeinab Shrine
It is noteworthy that a couple of days after al-Assad's ousting, armed groups attempted to assault the Sayyeda Zeinab shrine.
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.
Read more: Syrian Alawites live in fear amid ongoing violence, reprisals: WashPo
