Isis strikes a Shiite mausoleum, 71 dead. Syria peace talks underway
Shrine dedicated to Sayyida Zeinab targeted; 42 fighters loyal to Assad, 29 civilians, including five children among the dead. Indirect talks between representatives of the government and opposition begin today in Geneva. Controversy over inclusion of Army of Islam, which Moscow considers a "terrorist group ".
Damascus (AsiaNews / Agencies) - At least 71 people were killed in an attack on the Shiite shrine of Sayyida Zeinab, south of Damascus. The bomb blast also damaged a bus station and a Syrian army building. The Islamic State are suspected of being behind the attack which coincides with the start of talks in Geneva aimed at achieving a political agreement to bring peace - or at least a truce to the conflict – to the country.
According to witnesses yesterday's attack was carried out by two suicide bombers. However, other witnesses say that there were at least three explosions.
The London based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based on reports from a network of sources on the ground, says that of the 71 deaths, at least 42 are fighters loyal to President Bashar al-Assad. The group adds that other 29 victims are civilians, including five children.
The explosion targeted, the famous golden-domed mosque of Sayyida Zeinab without damaging it. The Shiite place of worship is famous for housing the remains of one of the descendants of Muhammad and has always attracted many pilgrims.
In five years of conflict in Syria at least 250 thousand people have been killed, including many civilians, and over 11 million have fled their homes in search of refuge. The violence has also triggered one of the worst migration crises in decades in Europe.
Meanwhile indirect talks began this morning in Geneva between the representatives of the Syrian government and a delegation from the face of the opposition. Negotiations are expected to last at least six months, with the two delegations seated in different rooms and UN officials, led by the Special UN Staffan de Mistura, going back and forth between the two groups. On the eve of the talks, the UN secretary general Ban Ki-moon appealed to both parties, inviting them to take action by highlighting the well-being of the Syrian people.
The main opposition group present at the meeting pointed out that, before any negotiations, the Damascus government has to respond to the humanitarian crisis on the ground. In response, the executive representative Bashar al-Jaafari accused the members of the High Negotiations Committee (the Syrian opposition, Hnc) of "lack of seriousness" for the last minute decision to attend the talks.
US diplomacy is also moving, with Secretary of State John Kerry inviting both sides to seize the opportunity and put an end to the bloodshed. The talks were supposed to start on January 25, but were postponed for a few days at the request of the opposition (backed by Turkey, Saudi Arabia and other Gulf nations). Before confirming that it would take part the Hnc called for the end of the Russian air strikes in Syria in support of the Assad army (backed by Moscow and Tehran), the end of attacks on civilian areas, the end of the siege of cities under rebel control and the release of prisoners.
Other controversy was sparked by the inclusion of the Army of Islam and its leader, Mohammed Alloush, among opposition representatives at the talks. Moscow, Damascus’ main ally, considers the Army of Islam a "terrorist" group, and there is even strong discontent among other opposition members, because they consider the fact that the delegation is led by the leader of an armed group "unacceptable". However, Alloush dismissed all criticism declaring that Assad is the "real terrorist".
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