Eight Killed in Twin Bombings at Syria’s Holiest Shia Shrine

250,000 people have died and 11 million have fled their homes in the past 5 years from Syria.

Syrians gather around burning buildings after a bomb attack at the Sayyida Zeinab suburb in Damascus, Syria. ( Photo: AP)

• At least eight people were killed in a twin bomb attack in a suburb of Damascus – home to Syria’s holiest Shia shrine.
  
  
• Around 13 people were reportedly wounded in the blasts, which were caused by a suicide bomber and a car bomb.
  
  
• The first blast, by an attacker wearing an explosives belt, took place at the entrance to the suburb. And the car bomb attack happened on al-Teen street, not far from the shrine.
  
  
• The golden-domed Sayyida Zeinab shrine houses the grave of one of Prophet Muhammad’s grand-daughters. It continues to draw many Shia pilgrims despite the civil war.
  
  
• More than 250,000 people have died and 11 million have fled their homes in more than five years of civil war in Syria.