Damascus, May 2: A Shia cleric was seriously injured in an attack in the Sayyida Zainab area of Damascus on Friday. Assailants reportedly threw a grenade at his vehicle, according to a war monitor. Syrian authorities confirmed an explosion occurred in the area but did not provide 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 attack took place as Mansoor was leaving the Sayyida Zainab shrine and approaching the Safir al-Zahra hotel.
Details regarding his condition remain unclear. However, Syrian security officials, as reported by the state news agency SANA, stated that the explosion was caused by a hand grenade. It has not yet been confirmed who was targeted or how many people were injured.
Authorities have cordoned off the area and increased their presence to keep the public at a distance, while a specialized team is investigating the scene. The Sayyida Zainab area is home to one of the most revered Shia shrines in Islam and has faced multiple attacks during Syria’s prolonged civil war, which has lasted over 14 years. This incident comes as the country attempts to gradually emerge from the conflict.
In January 2025, Syria’s interim government announced that it had thwarted a plot to carry out a bomb attack in Sayyida Zainab. According to SANA, a source from the General Intelligence Directorate revealed that a group linked to the Islamic State (IS) had planned an attack on the shrine, but security forces apprehended them before the assault. Officials labeled it 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 reported that Israeli missiles struck a location where vehicles were parked at the Jihad al-Bina Foundation service center, which is believed to be associated with Hezbollah and Iranian militias.
Bhupendra Singh Chundawat is a seasoned technology journalist with over 22 years of experience in the media industry. He specializes in covering the global technology landscape, with a deep focus on manufacturing trends and the geopolitical impact on tech companies. Currently serving as the Editor at Udaipur Kiran, his insights are shaped by decades of hands-on reporting and editorial leadership in the fast-evolving world of technology.
