Shia cleric killed in blast near Damascus shrine

A Shia cleric serving at one of Syria’s most revered religious sites was killed in an explosion in southern Damascus, state media reported on May 1.

Syrian state television said that Farhan Hassan al Mansour died in a blast in the Sayyida Zainab area, home to the prominent Sayyida Zainab Shrine.

“Farhan Hassan al Mansour was killed in a bomb blast... in the Sayyida Zainab area,” the broadcaster reported, adding that security forces have opened an investigation and launched a search for those responsible.

According to a statement from Syria’s highest Shia religious authority, Mansour was killed when “his car was targeted with an explosive device.” The report described the incident as an “assassination” but did not identify any suspects.

The explosion occurred shortly after Mansour had left the shrine, the television network said.

Earlier reports indicated that an explosion struck the Sayyida Zainab neighbourhood, with preliminary information suggesting it may have been caused by a hand grenade.

By Sabina Mammadli