Intelligence authorities in Syria’s emerging governing body successfully disrupted a plot orchestrated by the Islamic State (IS) group to detonate a bomb at a Shiite shrine located in the Sayyida Zeinab area of Damascus, according to recent reports from state media.
The state-owned news outlet SANA, referencing an official from the General Intelligence Service whose name was not disclosed, stated that members of the IS cell involved in the conspiracy were apprehended. The official remarked that the intelligence agency is utilizing all necessary resources to thwart any attempts aimed at harming the Syrian populace in all its diversity.
Previously, Sayyida Zeinab has been a target for IS attacks against Shiite pilgrims, as the group adheres to a radical interpretation of Sunni Islam, labeling Shiite Muslims as heretics.
In a tragic incident earlier this year, a motorcycle laden with explosives detonated in Sayyida Zeinab, resulting in six fatalities and numerous injuries just a day prior to the holy day of Ashoura for Shiites.
The announcement about the prevention of this attack seems to serve as an effort by Syria’s newly established authorities to comfort religious minorities, particularly those thought to have previously backed the regime of Bashar Assad.
Assad, who belongs to the Alawite sect, had strong ties with Iranian forces, the Shiite militant group Hezbollah from Lebanon, and Iraqi militias backed by Iran.
Meanwhile, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), a former insurgent faction that played a pivotal role in the rapid offensive that ousted Assad, has emerged as the de facto ruling entity in Syria. HTS, which once had connections to al-Qaida, later distanced itself from the group, and its leadership, particularly Ahmad al-Sharaa, has been promoting the idea of religious coexistence since gaining control in Damascus.
On Saturday, visitors continued to access the shrine, albeit under stringent security protocols. Moataz Sikkawi, a security supervisor at the site, confirmed, “The site is open, and visitors are making their visits safely and with peace of mind. The security measures regarding this cell have been addressed and resolved.”
A visitor named Nisreen Al Hassan expressed her reassurance, stating, “It is a very, very good effort, and we thank the security forces who worked to ensure safety and security for this country and its citizens.”
In a separate development, Lebanon’s caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati arrived in Damascus for discussions with al-Sharaa. Relations between Syria and Lebanon had been tense during Assad’s tenure, with Lebanese political factions sharply divided over support or opposition to his regime.
After their meeting, Mikati informed reporters that Syria and Lebanon would establish a joint committee to address the demarcation of their border, which lacks official definition. He also mentioned collaborative efforts to combat smuggling along their porous frontier.
He emphasized, “Certain aspects of the border require strict control, particularly at illegal crossing points, to effectively halt smuggling activities between Lebanon and Syria.”
A contentious issue remains the Chebaa Farms region, which is presently under Israeli control as part of the Golan Heights, captured from Syria in 1967 and later annexed. While the international community predominantly views this region as occupied territory, both Beirut and Damascus assert that it belongs to Lebanon.
The United Nations has classified Chebaa Farms as part of Syria and has urged negotiations between Damascus and Israel to resolve the matter. The lack of clear boundary delineation between Lebanon and Syria further complicates this situation.
When pressed about border demarcation, al-Sharaa refrained from providing specific answers. He commented, “I think it is premature to discuss all the details of border demarcation. The Syrian reality presents numerous challenges we cannot address simultaneously.”
He expressed hope that issues at official border crossings would soon be addressed, noting that Lebanese citizens, who previously enjoyed ease of access into Syria without visas, are currently prohibited from entry.
“We aspire to enhance social relations between us rather than diminish them, thus any border obstacles should be eliminated in the future, but this requires detailed arrangements by customs officials,” al-Sharaa concluded.
