2016 Sayyidah Zaynab attacks

January 2016 Sayyidah Zaynab massacre
Part of Syrian Civil War
Location	Sayyidah Zaynab, Rif Dimashq Governorate, Syria
Date	31 January 2016
Target	Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque, Shii'te population
Attack type	Mass murder
Weapons	Car bombs[1]
Deaths	71 (including 42 Syrian army and Shi'ite fighters)[1]
Injured	40+[1]
Perpetrators	Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant
No. of participants	2+[1]
Motive	Sectarian Anti-Shi'ism

February 2016 Sayyidah Zaynab bombings
Part of Syrian Civil War
Location	Sayyidah Zaynab, Syria
Date	21 February 2016 (UTC+02:00)
Attack type	Suicide bombing, car bomb
Deaths	134[2][3]
Injured	180[4]
Perpetrators	ISIS
Motive	Sectarian

In early 2016 there was a series of bombings in the mainly Shi'ite town of Sayyidah Zaynab and attributed to Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant.

January

On 31 January 2016, two suicide bombs and a car bomb exploded in the mainly Shi'ite town of Sayyidah Zaynab near Syria's holiest^[5] Shi'ite shrine, the Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque. At least 60 people were killed including 25 Shi'ite fighters and another 110 people were wounded in the explosions.^{[1][6][7][8][9][10]} The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility for the attack.^[1] This is second time the Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque shrine has been targeted; in February 2015 two suicide attacks killed four people and wounded thirteen.^[1]

The death toll rose to 71, including 42 Syrian army and Shi'ite fighters as well as 29 civilians.^[11]

February

The February 2016 Sayyidah Zaynab bombings occurred on 21 February 2016 after Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant militants detonated a car bomb and later launched two suicide bombings, about 400 meters from Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque, a Shia shrine, believed to contain the grave of Prophet Muhammad's granddaughter.

134 people were killed, including children. Syrian media said the attack occurred when pupils were leaving school in the area. Foreign led Syrian Observatory said 68 were killed. At least 60 shops were damaged as well as cars in the area. The attack, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility, was the third attack in one year near the mosque.^{[12][13][14][4]}

References

1. "Dozens killed in three blasts near shrine in Damascus". Al Jazeera. 31 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
2. "Syrie: 134 morts dans un attentat au sud de Damas". L'Express. 21 February 2016. Retrieved 21 February 2016.
3. Nearly 200 people killed in six explosions at Sayeda Zeinab and Zahraa, SOHR, February 23, 2016.
4. "Syria conflict: IS claims deadly Homs and Damascus blasts". BBC News. 22 February 2016.
5. "Damascus Blasts: At Least 60 Dead in Bombings Near Sayeda Zeinab Shrine". NBC News. Reuters.
6. "Syria conflict: Dozens killed near Sayyida Zeinab shrine". BBC News. 31 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
7. "At least 60 killed, 110 wounded in Damascus suburb bombings, ISIS claims responsibility". Reuters. 31 January 2016. Retrieved 31 January 2016.
8. "Suicide Bombings Kill at Least 45 Near Damascus". The New York Times. 1 February 2016.
9. "ISIS Twin Suicide Attack Kills at Least 60 in Syrian Capital". Haaretz.com.
10. "ISIS Attacks in Damascus felt at Syria Peace Talks". Newsweek Europe. 31 January 2016. Retrieved 14 March 2016.
11. "Syria conflict: Dozens killed near Sayyida Zeinab shrine - BBC News". BBC News. 31 January 2016. Retrieved 2016-02-21.
12. "IS blasts kill more than 140 as US, Russia press Syria truce". Agence France-Presse, Yahoo News. 21 February 2016.
13. "62 killed in blasts near Damascus Shiite shrine". DailySabah. 21 February 2016.
14. "Almost 120 killed as IS bombings rock Damascus and Homs: Monitor". Middle East Eye.

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