A video widely circulated on Wednesday 25 December showing armed men attacking the shrine of Abu Abdullah al-Hussein al-Khasibi in Aleppo has sparked widespread protests and condemnation. The footage shows the killing of five unarmed civilians, the desecration of their bodies, and the vandalism and burning of the shrine. The site holds immense religious significance for Alevis, adding to the public outcry.
Protests erupted in cities including Lattakia, Tartous, Homs, Damascus and Hama, with demonstrators condemning the attack and calling for the protection of minority communities. The unrest was met with harsh measures by the General Security Forces, including a curfew in Homs, Baniyas and Jabalah, and military reinforcements to cordon off affected areas. Clashes during the protests left one protester dead and several injured in Homs as forces opened fire to disperse crowds.
In addition to demanding justice, protesters voiced broader grievances, including an end to repression, the release of detained military personnel not involved in the bloodshed, and accountability for foreign forces linked to regional instability.
Meanwhile, statements from the shrine’s custodians, Sheikh Ammar Mohammed and Sheikh Ahmed Bilal, suggest that the video dates from an earlier period during the opposition forces’ entry into Aleppo. The Syrian interior ministry also claimed the footage was old and that its recent circulation was aimed at inciting sectarian strife at a critical time for Syria.
The shrine’s location in a restricted area, surrounded by military and security headquarters, adds to the complexity of the incident. The events underscore the fragile security situation in Syria and the challenges facing the new government.
