Updated: Statement from Shrine Leaders Clarifies the Incident at Al-Khasibi Shrine in Aleppo

A video circulated on Wednesday, December 25, allegedly filmed recently, showing armed men entering the shrine of "Abu Abdullah Hussein Al-Khasibi, the Sheikh of Alawites worldwide," killing five unarmed civilians inside, desecrating their bodies, and vandalizing and burning the shrine.

Is the video authentic?

With the video and accompanying claims spreading widely, questions began pouring in about its authenticity. Our team conducted an analysis by comparing the landmarks shown in the video with images and recordings of the shrine, which holds significant symbolic value for Alawite followers. The analysis confirmed the video’s authenticity and that it was indeed filmed inside the shrine.

Meanwhile, a Verify-sy correspondent in Aleppo confirmed the incident based on local sources. It was clarified that the shrine is located in a restricted area accessible only with authorization from the General Command, which has repurposed several surrounding buildings as military and security headquarters, including Hanano Barracks, separated from the shrine by a single wall. Sources indicated that HTS (Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham) members are present inside the shrine and have pledged to hold the perpetrators accountable. Following these updates, the platform shared available information and stated it would continue monitoring developments, with a detailed report to follow.

Authentic but misleading context

Verify-sy dispatched a team to the shrine to verify the claims and film the site. The team arrived at 2:30 PM Damascus time, but security personnel at the shrine’s entrance denied access, citing security measures enforced by the General Command. The guards explained that even HTS members are barred from entering the shrine.

When asked about the alleged attack and burning of the shrine, the guards refuted the claims, stating the video footage dates back to battles in late November during the “Repelling the Aggression” operation against regime forces. They added that the deceased shown in the video were regime fighters engaged in clashes from within the shrine, and their bodies were handed over to the White Helmets for appropriate processing and burial.

Subsequently, the platform updated its posts across all channels with newly obtained information, attributing it to its source, who requested anonymity, explaining that only the authority’s media representatives are authorized to speak to the press.

Platform demands transparency

Verify-sy urges the controlling authority to grant journalists access to the shrine, enabling them to document its current state, and to designate an official to clarify the events depicted in the video, identify the deceased, and disclose the circumstances surrounding their deaths.

Update: 5:45 PM
Statement from Shrine Leaders

Sheikh Ammar Mohammed and Sheikh Ahmed Bilal, custodians of the shrine of Sheikh Abu Abdullah Hussein Al-Khasibi in Aleppo, issued a statement clarifying the circulated video.

The statement confirmed that the footage does not date to today but rather to a time when opposition forces entered Aleppo. The incident was only recently brought to their attention after communicating with neighbors of the shrine.

The custodians stated that they had promptly reached out to community leaders and relevant authorities to ensure those responsible are held accountable. They emphasized that releasing the video at this time aims to incite discord and undermine civil peace.

The statement called on everyone to act with wisdom and restraint, assuring continued coordination with relevant authorities to prevent similar actions and hold perpetrators accountable.

Update: 19:30 - Ministry of Interior Clarifies

The media office of the Syrian Ministry of Interior clarified that the video circulating about the shrine of Sheikh Abu Abdullah Al-Hussein bin Hamdan Al-Khasibi in Aleppo is an old video from the period of the city's liberation, pointing out that the groups shown in the video were unidentified. The office further explained that security forces are continuously working to protect properties and religious sites in the country. They added that the aim of re-publishing such videos is to incite sectarian strife among the Syrian people during this sensitive time in Syria's history.