An explosion occurred in the al-Sayeda Zainab suburb, situated south of the Syrian capital of Damascus, resulting in the death of at least six people and leaving 46 others injured. According to state media reports, the blast was caused by an explosive device planted on a motorcycle near a taxicab, which was then remotely detonated.

The incident took place on al-Sudan Street, a location known for its significance as a predominantly Shia area, where Muslim Shia, particularly from Iran, frequently visit to perform pilgrimage to holy Shia shrines. The suburb also houses the presence of the Lebanese Hezbollah group.

Syrian Health Minister Hassan Al-Ghabbash provided an update on the wounded, stating that 20 of those injured had minor injuries and were treated at the scene. The remaining injured individuals were immediately rushed to nearby hospitals. A total of 11 ambulances promptly responded to the scene to assist the victims.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitor, reported that the explosion occurred near a military outpost that was utilized by Iran-backed fighters. This raises concerns over potential targeting of specific groups in the area.

Disturbingly, this is the second explosion in the same vicinity within a span of just 48 hours. On July 25, a booby-trapped motorcycle blast wounded two people, as reported by the observatory.

The al-Sayeda Zainab suburb had enjoyed a relative sense of peace since the expulsion of rebel groups from the Eastern Ghouta countryside in May 2018. However, the recent occurrences of sporadic explosions, targeting seemingly random locations, have raised questions about the ongoing security situation in the region.