Syrian intelligence claims to foil Islamic State attack on Shia holy site

Syrian intelligence foiled an attempted attack by the Islamic State group on the Sayeda Zeinab shrine, a major Shia pilgrimage site in a Damascus suburb, state news agency SANA reported Saturday.

Authorities arrested members of the cell before they could detonate explosives inside the shrine, SANA said.

The thwarted attack comes amid concerns over a potential resurgence of the Islamic State following the fall last month of President Bashar al-Assad, who was ousted by the Sunni extremist Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group on Dec. 8.

Syria’s new leadership, facing fears of sectarian tensions under its Sunni extremist rule, has sought to reassure minority groups, including Shia, Druze, Kurds, and Christians, of their safety.

Ahmed al-Sharaa (also known as Abu Mohammed al-Golani), head of HTS, during a meeting in Damascus, on December 17, 2024. AFP

"The General Intelligence Directorate is utilizing all its resources to confront attempts targeting the Syrian people in all their diversity," an intelligence official told SANA.

The Sayeda Zeinab shrine, located about 10 kilometers south of Damascus, holds significant importance for Shia Muslims.

It is dedicated to Sayeda Zeinab, the granddaughter of the Prophet Muhammad(PBUH), and attracts pilgrims from across the region. The site has previously been targeted by Islamic State militants, including a bombing in 2017 that killed at least 40 people.

Defending the shrine was a rallying point for Shia militias during Syria’s 13-year civil war, which saw fighters from Iran, Lebanon’s Hezbollah, and other Tehran-aligned groups backing Assad.

However, Assad's ouster last month has weakened the position of Shia forces in Syria.

The HTS-led government’s announcement of the foiled attack may be seen as an effort to demonstrate its commitment to protecting religious minorities.

Islamic State, a militant group, has claimed responsibility for past attacks in and around the shrine and is reportedly seeking to regain influence in Syria amid the country’s shifting political landscape.