On 31 January 2016, two suicide bombs and a car bomb exploded in the mainly Shi'ite town of Sayyidah Zaynab near Syria's holiest[5]Shi'ite shrine, the Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque. At least 60 people were killed including 25 Shi'ite fighters and another 110 people were wounded in the explosions.[1][6][7][8][9][10] The Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant claimed responsibility for the attack.[1] This is second time the Sayyidah Zaynab Mosque shrine has been targeted; in February 2015 two suicide attacks killed four people and wounded thirteen.[1]
The death toll rose to 71, including 42 Syrian army and Shi'ite fighters as well as 29 civilians.[11]
134 people were killed, including children. Syrian media said the attack occurred when pupils were leaving school in the area. Foreign led Syrian Observatory said 68 were killed. At least 60 shops were damaged as well as cars in the area. The attack, for which the Islamic State claimed responsibility, was the third attack in one year near the mosque.[12][13][14][4]