Unrest Erupts Across Syria Over Viral old Video of Shrine Attack

Syria is facing widespread turmoil after an old video surfaced online showing the desecration of a religious shrine in Aleppo. The footage, which spread like wildfire on social media, depicts armed men attacking the shrine of Sheikh Abu Abdullah Al-Hussein Al-Khasibi, a prominent Alawite religious figure. The attackers were seen destroying the shrine, killing five attendants, mutilating their bodies, and setting the site on fire.

The video has triggered mass protests in Syria’s coastal regions, Homs, and central Damascus. Initially peaceful demonstrations soon turned into violent confrontations, with protesters clashing with security forces. In Tartus and Latakia, armed protesters set police vehicles ablaze, leading to skirmishes that left multiple casualties. Authorities have since imposed curfews in the affected areas.

In Homs, protests in Al-Hadharah devolved into sectarian disputes. Slogans targeting rival communities intensified the situation, resulting in scuffles between residents. Security forces fired into the air to disperse the crowds, further escalating tensions.

In Damascus, protests broke out in the Al-Mazza 86 area and quickly spread to nearby Sheikh Saad. Military intervention brought temporary calm, but the situation remains tense. Later, a video surfaced showing residents celebrating the restoration of order.

The Syrian Ministry of Interior clarified that the video is from Aleppo’s liberation years ago and dismissed it as a ploy by unknown groups to incite chaos. Minister of Information Mohammed Al-Omar warned against falling victim to attempts at destabilizing the nation.

These events unfold in the wake of Bashar Al-Assad’s ouster earlier this month, following years of civil war. Assad fled to Russia on December 7, marking the end of his regime and the Al-Assad family’s decades-long rule. Sheikh Al-Hussein Al-Khasibi’s shrine, a cornerstone of Alawite cultural heritage, has become a flashpoint for the ongoing unrest.