Breaking: Armed groups enter Iranian embassy as Damascus changes hands

Armed groups entered Iranian embassy in Damascus this sunday after the city came under opposition control (the building got damaged during this break-in)

Abu Mohammed al-Golaniʼs HTS group which now controls most of western syria‚ wasnt involved in embassy incident: the break-in was done by different armed groups. Al-Arabiya TV showed footage of ransacked offices furniture and broken windows; however the footage source cant be confirmed

Esmaeil Baghaei Iranian foreign ministry rep stated that embassy workers left early morning before any trouble started. The diplomatic staff made sure to move out quick - showing good planning in un-stable times

The new forces controlling Damascus made important promises about religious places:

• Sayeda Zeinab shrine (important shiʼite pilgrimage spot)
• Sayeda Ruqqaya shrine safety guarantee

All shrine workers went back to Iran before city changed hands according to semi-official Tasnim news agency. The Sayeda Zeinab shrine - built for Prophet Mohammadʼs grand-daughter draws many shiʼite visitors and fighters to syria

The main group now in charge of Damascus - HTS used to work with al-Qaeda about 8 yrs ago as Nusra Front but its leader cut those links. Now they run most areas in western part of country after Bashar al-Assadʼs government lost power