Damascus, May 1: A Shia cleric was attacked in the Sayyida Zainab area of Damascus on Friday. Assailants threw a grenade into his car, leaving him severely injured, according to a war monitor. Syrian officials confirmed that an explosion occurred in the area but provided no further details.
The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights identified the target as Farhan Mansoor, a member of the Shia religious authority who was scheduled to deliver a sermon that day.
The British-based monitor reported that unidentified attackers struck Mansoor as he was leaving the Sayyida Zainab shrine and approaching the Safir Al-Zahra hotel. He sustained serious injuries in the incident.
Details regarding his condition remain unclear. Meanwhile, Syrian security officials, as reported by the state news agency SANA, confirmed that the explosion was caused by a hand grenade. It is still unverified who the target was or how many people were injured.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and increased their presence to keep the public at a distance. A specialized team is currently investigating the scene.
The Sayyida Zainab area is home to one of the most revered Shia shrines in Islam. This location has experienced multiple attacks during Syria’s prolonged civil war, which has lasted over 14 years. The incident occurred as the country attempts to gradually emerge from conflict.
In January 2025, Syria’s interim government announced that a plot to detonate a bomb in Sayyida Zainab had been thwarted.
According to SANA, a source from the General Intelligence Directorate revealed that a group linked to the Islamic State (IS) had planned to attack the shrine. Security forces apprehended the suspects before the attack could take place. Officials labeled this a criminal conspiracy targeting the Syrian populace.
Additionally, in 2024, missile strikes from Israel targeted the Sayyida Zainab area. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights noted that an attack in June 2024 involved Israeli missiles hitting a location where vehicles were parked at the Jihad Al-Bina Foundation service center, an organization believed to be associated with Hezbollah and Iranian militias.
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My name is Narendra Jijhontiya. I am an experienced content writer with several years of expertise in the field. Currently, I contribute to Daily Kiran, creating engaging and informative content across a variety of categories including TECHNOLOGY, health, travel, education, and automobiles. My goal is to deliver accurate, insightful, and captivating information through my words to help readers stay informed and empowered.
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