Syria Says Church Attackers Also Planned Bombing at Sayyida Zainab Shrine
Syria Says Church Attackers Also Planned Bombing at Sayyida Zainab Shrine
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The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced on Wednesday that the perpetrators of the deadly suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus were also planning to target the Sayyida Zainab shrine, a prominent religious site south of the capital.
In a press conference, Interior Ministry spokesperson Major General Nouredin Baba said the two attackers had come from the al-Hol camp in northeastern Syria and were affiliated with the ISIS. He added that security forces, in coordination with the General Intelligence Directorate, launched a series of operations following the attack that led to the dismantling of the entire cell.
One member of the group was arrested earlier, and his confession reportedly led to the discovery of the remaining operatives. Authorities carried out multiple raids, seizing weapons and explosive devices intended for future attacks in Damascus.
According to Baba, the investigations revealed that the cell had been using four secret locations in the capital as operational hubs to move personnel and plan attacks targeting both civilian and religious sites. He said the group aimed to reignite fear and instability in the city.
The bombing at Mar Elias Church, which occurred on June 22, killed 25 people and injured dozens more, mostly civilians. The attack drew widespread condemnation from local and international bodies.
Officials warned that the uncovered plan to strike the Sayyida Zainab shrine highlights the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups to religious landmarks and could fuel sectarian tensions if not countered with robust security measures.
The developments have renewed scrutiny of the al-Hol camp, described by security experts as a major hub for radicalization. The facility houses thousands of individuals linked to ISIS, and there have been growing international calls for its dismantling and for comprehensive action to address the threat it poses.
