In a tragic incident on the outskirts of Damascus, a suicide bombing at Mar Elias Church has resulted in the deaths of at least 20 individuals and caused injuries to 52 others, according to statements from Syria’s interior ministry.
During a service at the church in Dweila, the assailant entered the premises armed and opened fire before detonating an explosive vest. The ministry identified the attacker as affiliated with the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), although the group has not yet claimed responsibility for the act.
Destruction and eyewitness accounts
The Syrian Civil Defence, commonly known as the White Helmets, shared harrowing images and videos from the scene, revealing extensive damage within the church, including a shattered altar, pews strewn with broken glass, and a floor marked by blood.
Witnesses recounted the terrifying moments of the attack. One individual, speaking outside Mar Elias, recounted how “someone entered carrying a weapon” and began firing. “People tried to stop him before he blew himself up,” he added, highlighting the chaos that ensued.
A nearby shop worker described seeing flames erupting from the church and recalled wooden benches being hurled towards the entrance amidst the explosion.
Security response and implications
In response to the attack, security forces have cordoned off the area surrounding the church and are conducting a thorough investigation into the bombing, as reported by the interior ministry.
This bombing marks the first such incident in Damascus since December, when rebel forces attempted to overthrow Bashar al-Assad. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, whose Sunni Islamist group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has historical ties to al-Qaeda, has consistently vowed to safeguard the rights of religious and ethnic minorities. However, the recent months have witnessed two severe waves of sectarian violence that have shaken the region.