Terror at Shiite shrine
ISIS suspected in attack at Syrian holy site
Twin blasts Saturday near holy shrines frequented by Shiites in the Syrian capital of Damascus killed at least 40 people and wounded more than 100, most of them Iraqis, according to Syrian and Iraqi officials.
There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attacks. ISIS militants have carried out similar attacks before against Shiite shrines in the Syrian capital and elsewhere. Extremist Sunni groups, such as ISIS, view Shiites as apostates and consider the shrines a form of idolatry.
Syrian State TV aired footage from the scene showing bloodsoaked streets and several damaged buses in a parking lot, apparently where the explosions went off near the Bab al-Saghir cemetery. The cemetery is one of Damascus’ most ancient and is where several prominent religious figures are buried.
Interior Minister Mohammed al-Shaar visited the wounded in local hospitals. He said the attacks targeted civilians who were touring the area’s shrines.
Iraq’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement that at least 40 Iraqis were killed and 120 wounded. Ministry spokesman Ahmed Jamal said buses carrying Iraqi pilgrims to the shrines were targeted. He said a crisis-response team has been formed to expedite the identification and transport of the dead and wounded.
“The ministry calls on the international community to condemn this heinous terrorist crime that targeted civilian Iraqi visitors to the holy shrines,” Jamal said in a statement. “It also urges a firm and decisive stand against the tak
firi groups responsible for them.” Takfiri is a derogatory Arabic term referring to extremist Sunni Muslims — such as members of ISIS — who accuse other Muslims of being infidels.
UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for Syria Ali al-Za’tari condemned the attacks, saying “targeting civilians is a terrorist act, condemned and rejected by anyone who has a conscience.”
Lebanon’s Hezbollah group also condemned the attacks, saying they stem from a “Takfiri ideology that uses religion as a cover to stab religion and believers everywhere.”