At least 20 individuals were killed and 52 others injured following a terrorist assault on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, as reported by the country’s health ministry.
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, Syria’s Ministry of Interior Affairs indicated that a suicide bomber linked to the ISIS terrorist organization executed the assault. The bomber opened fire on those gathered at Mar Elias Church before detonating an explosive vest, according to an official statement.
The incident occurred during a mass, as confirmed by Syria’s state news agency SANA. Footage circulating on Syrian social media reveals a scene of devastation inside the church, including bodies, shattered glass, and ruined chairs, with blood visible throughout the vicinity of the mass.
Emergency teams from Syria’s civil defense, commonly known as the White Helmets, are responding to the tragedy by transferring the deceased to hospitals and securing the area.
A member of the Syrian security forces examined the aftermath of the incident at Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus.
In a statement, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch lamented that “the treacherous hand of evil struck,” describing the explosion at the church entrance that resulted in numerous fatalities and injuries to many present.
The church’s statement included prayers for the deceased, healing for the injured, and comfort for the mourning congregation, emphasizing their commitment to faith and resilience against fear and intimidation.
Geir O. Pedersen, the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, expressed “outrage” at what he termed a “heinous crime.” His office urged collective action to repudiate terrorism and extremism and offered condolences to the victims’ families while hoping for the speedy recovery of the injured.
Thomas Barrack, the United States’ Special Envoy for Syria, condemned the attack as an act of “cowardice,” asserting that such actions have no place in the inclusive future that Syrians aspire to create.
Officials from multiple countries, including Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Israel, and several others, also condemned the violence, underscoring a widespread rejection of the attack.