DAMASCUS — Syrian intelligence operatives successfully disrupted a plot orchestrated by the Islamic State (IS) to detonate a bomb near the Shiite shrine located in the Damascus suburb of Sayyida Zeinab, as reported by state media on Saturday.
The state news agency SANA, referencing an unnamed source from the General Intelligence Service, announced that several members of the IS cell responsible for the attack had been apprehended. The official emphasized the agency’s commitment to utilizing all resources to counter any threats aimed at the Syrian populace across diverse backgrounds.
Sayyida Zeinab has previously experienced attacks targeting Shiite pilgrims by IS, which adheres to a radical interpretation of Sunni Islam, branding Shiites as heretics. In a recent incident in 2023, a motorcycle laden with explosives detonated in the same area, resulting in six fatalities and injuring numerous others just a day before the Shiite holy day of Ashoura.
The disclosure regarding the thwarted bombing plot seems to align with the efforts of the current leadership to bolster the confidence of religious minorities, particularly those believed to have supported the former Assad administration. Assad, representing the Alawite sect, maintained alliances with Iran, the Shiite militant group Hezbollah, and various Iranian-backed Iraqi militias.
Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), the former insurgent group that recently led a swift assault leading to Assad’s fall, is now believed to be the de facto governing authority in Syria. HTS is recognized as a Sunni Islamist faction that once had affiliations with al-Qaida. However, it later distanced itself from al-Qaida and its leader, Ahmad al-Sharaa, has promoted a message of religious coexistence since taking control of Damascus.
On the same day, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati traveled to Damascus to hold discussions with al-Sharaa. Relations between Syria and Lebanon were notably tense during Assad’s tenure, primarily due to the political rifts within Lebanon regarding support for or opposition to Assad’s regime.
Following their discussions, Mikati informed the press that the two nations would establish a committee focused on defining their border, which has never been officially established. He also mentioned joint efforts to curb smuggling activities along their porous frontier.
“Some areas at the border require thorough oversight, especially at illegal crossing points, to mitigate smuggling operations between Lebanon and Syria,” Mikati stated.
A particularly contentious topic is the Chebaa Farms area, currently under Israeli control as part of the Golan Heights, which Israel seized from Syria in 1967 and subsequently annexed. The international community largely views this territory as occupied.
Both Beirut and Damascus assert that Chebaa Farms is a Lebanese territory. However, the United Nations considers it a part of Syria, advocating for negotiations between Damascus and Israel to determine its future. The absence of a clearly defined Lebanon-Syria border complicates the situation further.
When asked about the demarcation of this area, al-Sharaa refrained from providing a definitive response.
“I believe it is premature to delve into the specifics of border demarcation,” he remarked. “There are numerous challenges within the Syrian context. Resolving everything at once is not feasible.”
Al-Sharaa expressed optimism that issues related to the official border crossing would be resolved swiftly. Lebanese citizens, who once traveled freely into Syria without requiring a visa, now face entry restrictions.
“We aspire to enhance social connections between our nations rather than diminish them, hence we aim to eliminate any barriers at the border in the future, though that will necessitate detailed discussions among customs officials,” al-Sharaa concluded.
