Fragile peace in Syria’s Set Zaynab as sectarian challenges persist

The southern Damascus district of Set Zaynab, home to the shrine of Sayyida Zaynab, has entered a period of cautious recovery following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad's government. The area, which once thrived on religious tourism—particularly from Iraqi Shia pilgrims who visited hotels, cafes, and shops—has experienced a sharp economic downturn. Local business owners report that while security has improved markedly, visitor numbers remain far below historical levels, with only occasional groups from Oman, Bahrain, and Kuwait passing through.

Under Assad's rule, the shrine district benefited from protection by Iranian forces, Hezbollah, and other Iranian-backed Shia militias. The regime's December 2024 collapse raised concerns that the site might become vulnerable, particularly given the conflict's increasingly sectarian dimensions and the Sunni-majority composition of opposition groups now holding government positions. However, Syrian security forces have successfully prevented multiple attack attempts, including thwarting an ISIS cell accused of planting explosives during French President Emmanuel Macron's July visit to Damascus.

Despite these security improvements, residents express measured optimism rather than confidence. Local shopkeepers acknowledge that conditions have stabilized but hesitate to encourage foreign visitors at present. The assassination of Shia cleric Farhan Hassan al-Mansour by a car bomb in May, claimed by ISIS, underscores lingering threats. Observers expect the security situation to continue improving, though the tourism sector's recovery remains uncertain given the broader instability affecting Syria's post-conflict reconstruction.