A suicide bombing inside a church near Syria’s capital has killed at least 20 people and wounded dozens more, Syrian authorities said, marking the deadliest such attack in the country in years.
The explosion struck the Mar Elias Church in the Dweil’a district on the outskirts of Damascus during Sunday mass, as worshippers gathered for prayer.
Syria’s Interior Ministry said a suspected ISIL (ISIS) fighter stormed the church, opened fire on congregants, and then detonated an explosives vest. No group has officially claimed responsibility.
The Health Ministry confirmed that at least 50 people were wounded in the blast. Some local media reports said children were among the casualties. The death toll remains preliminary as rescue teams from the Syria Civil Defence continue to search the site.
“This cowardly act goes against the civic values that bring us together,” said Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mostafa, condemning the bombing as a terrorist attack. “We will not back down from our commitment to equal citizenship.”
Witnesses described scenes of chaos. A man identified as Rawad told the Associated Press he saw the attacker approach the church with two others who fled the scene. “He was shooting at the church… he then went inside the church and blew himself up,” he said.
Photos shared by Syria Civil Defence showed shattered pews and bloodied debris scattered across the sanctuary floor.
The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, denounced the bombing “in the strongest possible terms,” calling it a “heinous crime” and urged Syrian authorities to fully investigate the attack, which interim authorities have attributed to ISIL.
Turkey’s Foreign Ministry condemned the “treacherous” attack, saying it was aimed at undermining efforts to restore stability in Syria. France’s Foreign Ministry called the bombing “despicable” and expressed solidarity with the Syrian people.
The bombing comes as the interim government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks to consolidate control and win support from minority communities. Al-Sharaa assumed office in January 2025 after years of civil conflict that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions.
Concerns remain over the resurgence of sleeper cells, including ISIL, in a country still struggling to recover from nearly 14 years of war. The attack is the first of its kind in Damascus in several years.
Source: AL Jazeera
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