A suicide bomber linked to the Islamic State (IS) group killed at least 22 people and injured 63 others during a church service in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday evening.
The attack took place at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in the Dweila neighbourhood. According to Syria’s interior ministry, the attacker opened fire on worshippers before detonating an explosive vest inside the church.
Witnesses described a scene of horror. “Someone entered the church carrying a weapon and started shooting. People tried to stop him before he blew himself up,” said Lawrence Maamari, who was at the church during the attack.
Ziad, another witness nearby, said he heard gunfire followed by a loud explosion. “Glass flew everywhere. We saw fire inside the church and benches scattered at the entrance,” he told reporters.
Photos and videos showed the aftermath: blood-stained walls, shattered pews, and a damaged altar.
This is the first major attack in Damascus since Islamist rebels overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December, ending a 13-year civil war. The bombing raises concerns about Syria’s fragile security, especially for minority groups.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch condemned the attack, calling it an evil act against innocent worshippers. It urged Syria’s interim government to take responsibility for protecting places of worship and ensuring citizens’ safety.
Syria’s interior minister, Anas Khattab, called it a “reprehensible crime” and promised a full investigation. “These terrorist acts will not stop our efforts to build peace,” he said.
UN and US officials also condemned the attack. UN envoy Geir Pedersen urged all Syrians to reject terrorism and violence, while US envoy Tom Barrack described the attack as a cowardly act with no place in Syria’s future.
The Islamic State group, which once controlled large parts of Syria and Iraq, has a long history of attacking Christians and other minorities. Though it lost its territory in 2019, recent UN reports warn the group still poses a serious threat in Syria, where up to 3,000 fighters remain active.
