A suicide bomber focused a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, killing over a dozen churchgoers.
Reviews on the variety of deaths range, however the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says 19 had been killed within the terrorist assault.
Syrian officers attributed the assault to the Islamic State.
Based on witnesses, the bomber entered the church with a gun and fired at individuals earlier than detonating his explosive vest.
Images from contained in the church present the aftermath of the horrific scene.
By way of @pressrahhal:
Images from contained in the church of St. Elias after a terrorist blew himself up inside it, which led to victims
In Al-Duwaila neighbourhood within the Syrian capital Damascus pic.twitter.com/5s29pSHCW5
— Ahmed Rahhal أحمد رحال (@pressrahhal) June 22, 2025
Syrian Minister of Info Hamzah Almustafa condemned the violence in a press release, calling it a “cowardly act.”
We strongly condemn the terrorist bombing that focused a church in Dweileh, Damascus, and provide our deepest condolences to the households of the victims. This cowardly act contradicts the values of citizenship that unite us all. We, as Syrians, affirm the significance of nationwide unity and civil peace, and name for strengthening the bonds of brotherhood amongst all elements of society.
We is not going to waver from our dedication to equal citizenship, which seeks to construct a nation of safety and stability. We additionally affirm the state’s pledge to exert all efforts to fight felony organizations and make sure the safety of society from any assaults that threaten its security.
ندين بشدة التفجير الإرهابي الذي استهدف كنيسة في الدويلعة بدمشق، ونتقدم بأحر التعازي لذوي الضحايا. إن هذا العمل الجبان يتعارض مع قيم المواطنة التي تجمعنا جميعًا. نحن، كسوريين، نؤكد على أهمية الوحدة الوطنية والسلم الأهلي، وندعو إلى تعزيز روابط التآخي بين جميع مكونات المجتمع.
لن…— Hamzah Almustafa (@HmzhMo) June 22, 2025
Per AP:
The explosion in Dweil’a within the outskirts of Damascus occurred as individuals had been praying contained in the Mar Elias Church. SANA, citing the Well being Ministry, mentioned that not less than 53 others had been wounded. Britain-based battle monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights mentioned there have been not less than 19 peopled killed and dozens of others wounded, however didn’t give actual numbers. Some native media reported that youngsters had been among the many casualties.
The assault on the church was the primary of its form in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus underneath its de facto Islamist rule is attempting to win the assist of minorities. As President Ahmad al-Sharaa struggles to exert authority throughout the nation, there have been issues in regards to the presence of sleeper cells of extremist teams within the war-torn nation.
No group instantly claimed duty Sunday, however the Syrian Inside Ministry mentioned an extremist from the Islamic State group entered the church, fired on the individuals there earlier than detonating himself with an explosives vest, echoing some witness testimonies
A witness who recognized himself as Rawad advised AP he noticed the attacker who was accompanied by two others who fled as he was driving close to the church.
