HTS Leader Orders Protection of Hazrat Zeynab Shrine in Syria: Report

IQNA – The leader of the Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) group has reportedly issued a directive on protecting the holy shrine of Hazrat Zaynab (SA).

Abu Muhammed al-Jolani ordered a security group to take the necessary measures for the protection of the sacred site, Ray al-Yawm website reported.

Earlier, Jolani, also known as Ahmed al-Sharaa, met with members of a committee comprising Shias and Sunnis in Damascus.

The meeting took place in an office near the holy shrine.

Jolani has reportedly provided assurances to the Shia Muslims of that area, who are responsible for managing and overseeing the shrine.

According to Ray al-Yawm, following this meeting, al-Sharaa issued the order to assign a group of security monitoring forces to ensure the safety and protection of the shrine.

The holy shrine is visited by a large number of Shia pilgrims from various countries.  

Armed opposition groups in Syria, led by the HTS, launched their operations on November 27, 2024 with the goal of ousting President Bashar al-Assad from power.

They targeted areas in the northwest, west, and southwest of Aleppo, and ultimately, after 11 days, announced their control over the city of Damascus on Sunday, December 8.

Later, Mohammed al-Bashir was appointed as the head of the transitional government until March.

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