Syria Thwarts ISIS Bombing Attempt at Shrine

Syrian intelligence forces successfully thwarted an Islamic State (ISIS) bombing plot targeting the Sayyida Zeinab shrine, a significant religious site for Shiite Muslims located in a suburb of Damascus. Four suspects were arrested, and a cache of explosives, weapons, and communication devices was seized during the operation, which highlighted ongoing security challenges in the region. This incident serves as a reminder of the shrine's history of attacks, including a deadly bombing in 2023 that killed six people. The new Syrian government, led by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), aims to reassure religious minorities amid growing instability following the ousting of Bashar Assad. Heightened security measures were implemented at the shrine, allowing continued visits by the public. Additionally, Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati visited Damascus to discuss border issues, reflecting the complexities of regional politics in light of these security challenges.