Militarization of the Bani Hashim Shrines and Violation of the Shrine of Saydna Al-Khidr in the Latakia Countryside: Escalating Attacks on Religious Sites in Syria
The area of the Bani Hashim Shrines in Jabal al-Qardaha, in Latakia Governorate in western Syria, has witnessed troubling developments manifested in the conversion of the religious site into a closed military point, coinciding with an incident of desecration targeting the shrine of Prophet Al-Khidr (Abu al-Abbas) in the town of Damsarkho in the Latakia countryside. These incidents are raising growing concerns among local residents regarding the safety of religious shrines and the respect for freedom of belief and access to places of worship, amid reports of escalating violations targeting religious sites belonging to the Alawite community in the region.
Conversion of the Bani Hashim Shrines into a Military Point
Local residents in the Qardaha area reported that forces affiliated with the interim authority have converted the area of the Bani Hashim Shrines—one of the well-known religious pilgrimage sites for the Alawite community—into a closed military zone in Jabal al-Qardaha in Latakia Governorate.
According to testimonies from residents, armed factions have imposed full control over the site and prevented civilians from visiting the shrine or approaching its surroundings, thereby depriving residents of access to one of the most prominent religious shrines in the region.
Information received from local sources also indicated the presence of Turkish military forces in the vicinity of the mountainous area, where they have begun installing surveillance and interception equipment at the summit of the mountain. The site is characterized by its elevation and wide geographical oversight over large areas of Latakia Governorate, making it a strategic location for monitoring and surveillance.
Residents consider that the militarization of the religious site and the prevention of access to it constitute a violation of the freedom to practice religious rituals and of the sanctity of sacred shrines.
Desecration of a Religious Shrine in the Town of Damsarkho
In a related development, the town of Damsarkho in the Latakia countryside witnessed an incident of assault targeting a religious shrine after unknown individuals excavated and vandalized the shrine of “Saydna Al-Khidr Abu al-Abbas,” in an incident that provoked resentment and anger among local residents.
According to information documented through photographs and video footage, the attack occurred on 11 March 2026 in the town of Damsarkho in Latakia Governorate, where the shrine was subjected to vandalism and excavation by individuals whose identities have not yet been officially determined.
The shrine of “Saydna Al-Khidr” is considered an important religious and spiritual symbol for local residents, which has made the attack on it the subject of widespread condemnation among the population, who consider that harming religious shrines constitutes an assault on religious beliefs and on civil peace.
These incidents come within a broader context of reports indicating an escalation in the targeting of religious shrines and places of worship belonging to the Alawite community, the Druze community, and the Christian faith in various regions of Syria.
According to local sources and circulating reports, the frequency of these incidents has increased since Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham assumed authority in the country on 8 December 2024, raising concerns among local communities regarding the protection of religious sites and the guarantee of respect for freedom of belief and the practice of religious rituals.
Residents of the area are calling for the protection of religious shrines and for preventing their transformation into military sites or their exposure to vandalism, emphasizing that respect for the sanctity of religious places constitutes an essential component of respecting human rights and preserving civil peace within local communities.
