On July 20th, the Sayyidah Zainab Mosque in Damascus came under rocket attack from Syrian rebel fighters, increasing sectarian tensions and causing an international outcry from the global Shia community who revere the Mosque as a sacred shrine. There are conflicting reports still as to how much damage was done to the shrine itself, with the rockets landing either in the courtyard of the Mosque, or right outside. But what is known, is that the front gates were destroyed and the custodian of the Mosque, Anas Romani, was killed. The attack comes as part of increasing sectarian tensions in the wake of the Syrian Civil War. The opposition fighters say the only fighting in the area is against pro-Assad forces, but the largely anti-Shia rhetoric from with their ranks and previous attacks on Shia sites, makes it hard to believe that the attack was accidental. The Syrian Opposition has become increasingly fractured, and recent fighting between factions of the FSA and the Jubhat Al Nusra give rise to the possibility of a civil war within the greater civil war. But it is important to recognise that the FSA do have their own conflict with right-wing, extremist, Al-Qaeda affiliated mercenaries funded largely by Saudi Arabia. The attack will undoubtedly be used to fortify the presence of Hezbullah fighters and Iraqi brigades of militants who are protecting the Shrine, but are now also openly fighting in support of the Assad regime. The Assad regime was also quick to use the attack to point a finger at the rebels, as these actions amount to war crimes. The attack has also triggered anger among the global Shia community, particularly in Pakistan, and many protests have taken place since. S.L
Posted on: Sun, 28 Jul 2013 15:50:44 +0000
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