Iranian-backed groups to open Shi’ite religious building in Syria’s Palmyra
DAMASCUS, Syria (North Press) – A pro-Iranian faction is preparing to open the first hussainiya (a congregation hall for Twelver Shia Muslim commemoration ceremonies) in al-Jamiyat al-Gharbiya neighborhood in central Palmyra, central Syria.
On Sunday, the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)-backed Afghan Shia Fatemiyoun Brigade completed the construction of the first hussainiya in al-Jamiyat al-Gharbiya neighborhood, in eastern countryside of Homs, to use for logistic and religious activities of the pro-Iranian armed groups. Local resident Hamad al-Ahmed (a pseudonym) told North Press, “the construction took place in a two-story house which was seized in January, under the pretext that its owners were ISIS members.”
The building will be divided by converting the basement into a hussainiya and the second floor to a temporary hotel for the accommodation of members coming from outside of Palmyra, according al-Ahmed.
“The Fatemiyoun Brigade prepared for the construction of the building and placed 48 surveillance cameras in its vicinity, and placed an observation post near it,” he added.
Khidr al-Ali, who is close to the Fatemiyoun Brigade, said, “the building would be used to periodically hold intellectual seminars, in addition to being a “place of worship.”
Meanwhile, another hussainiya is being prepared by the IRGC-backed Iraqi Hezbollah in al-Sukhnah in the eastern countryside of Homs, according to the same sources.