Jun 23, 2025
A devastating suicide bombing shook the outskirts of Damascus on Sunday when a gunman opened fire inside the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church during Divine Liturgy before detonating an explosive vest, killing over 20 worshippers and injuring around 60 others, according to Syrian state media. The explosion occurred in the town of Dweil’a and marked the deadliest church attack in Syria in years. Witnesses described the chaos as the attacker—his face concealed—entered the church, began shooting, and then blew himself up when congregants attempted to subdue him. Among the casualties were reportedly children, and over 350 people had gathered for worship at the time. Graphic images from the scene showed pews stained with blood and littered with debris, while shocked survivors described seeing bodies torn apart.
Although no group immediately claimed responsibility, Syria’s Interior Ministry indicated preliminary findings point to the Islamic State (ISIS). Officials condemned the attack as an act of terrorism aimed at destabilizing the fragile state, which remains fractured by civil war and extremist violence. The Syrian Information Minister called the bombing a "cowardly" and "criminal" act that undermines national unity, while clergy and government leaders gathered with the mourning community to offer support and prayers. This tragic assault highlights the vulnerability of Christian minorities in the region, even as the government attempts to portray itself as a protector of all faiths. The horrifying scene underscored the persistent threat posed by extremist sleeper cells, and the deep emotional and spiritual scars left behind in a nation already battered by years of conflict.
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SOURCE: AP News