A suicide bomber on Sunday killed at least 20 people and injured a dozen at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Syria’s capital Damascus, health authorities and security sources said.
This incident was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since an Islamist-led rebel insurgency toppled Bashar al-Assad in December.
According to Syria’s interior ministry, the suicide bomber was a member of the Islamic State. He entered the church, opened fire, and then detonated his explosive vest.
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Speaking on condition of anonymity, a security source said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.
Islamic State has been behind several attempted attacks on churches in Syria since Assad’s fall, but this was the first to succeed, another security source told Reuters.
According to Syria’s state news agency and the health ministry, 52 people were injured in the bombing.
Syria’s civil defence, the White Helmets, broadcasted a video from the site, showing images of destruction inside the church, including a bloodied floor, splintered pews, and masonry.
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Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who spearheaded the offensive against Assad before taking over in January for a transitional period, has pledged to defend minorities.
Greek foreign ministry in a statement said, “We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent terrorist suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria.”
“We demand that the Syrian transitional authorities take immediate action to hold those involved accountable and implement measures to guarantee the safety of Christian communities and all religious groups, allowing them to live without fear,” he added.
