A devastating explosion attributed to an apparent suicide bomber from the Islamic State has claimed the lives of at least 20 individuals and left 52 others injured at Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus, Syria, on Sunday.
Witnesses report that a suicide bomber detonated an explosive device inside the church, with Syrian state television confirming that the blast was caused by a suicide bombing. Correspondents present at the scene for the AFP news agency observed extensive damage, including broken wooden fittings, destroyed pews, and blood on the floor.
Interior Minister Anas Khattab addressed the tragedy on X, stating, “These terrorist acts will not deter the Syrian state’s efforts to achieve civil peace, nor will they deter Syrians from their choice to unite in the face of all those who seek to undermine their stability and security.”
Although the Interior Ministry confirmed the involvement of an Islamic State member, conflicting reports emerged on the number of attackers. A source, who wished to remain anonymous, suggested two suspects participated in the act. Church Bishop Moussa Khoury recounted that the assailant opened fire before detonating the explosive vest.
Khoury explained further, “He started shooting, went and then he blew up the church,” while a witness named Rawad described seeing the attacker with two others who fled as he approached the church. “He was shooting at the church. He then went inside the church and blew himself up,” Rawad said.
This incident marks the first recorded suicide bombing in Damascus since the ousting of President Bashar al-Assad by Islamist-led rebels in December.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed office in January during a transitional period, has vowed to protect minority groups throughout his leadership.
In a show of international concern, French officials reiterated their dedication to a peaceful transition in Syria, with foreign ministry spokesman Christophe Lemoine expressing condemnation of the attack as “abject” and “terrorist.” Similarly, the United Nations special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, expressed his outrage, calling for an in-depth investigation into the incident and condemning the act in the strongest terms.
The horrifying scenes captured by the White Helmets civil defense group revealed the scale of destruction within the church, underscoring the tragedy of the attack.