Suicide Bombing at Damascus Church Kills 20, Syrian Authorities Say
Damascus, Syria – June 22, 2025 – At least 20 worshippers were killed and 52 others injured when a suicide bomber stormed the Greek Orthodox Mar Elias Church in the Dweila suburb of Damascus during Sunday evening prayers, Syrian authorities confirmed .
According to the Interior Ministry, the assailant—a member of Islamic State (IS)—first opened fire on congregants before detonating a suicide vest inside the church, while a second gunman also fired shots but did not detonate . Witnesses described shattered pews, blood‑stained floors, and chaos as security forces and civil defence teams rushed to the scene to help . Some accounts reported that children were among the victims .
This marks the first successful suicide bombing at a church in Damascus since the fall of President Bashar al‑Assad in December 2024, after Islamist rebels deposed his regime . It signals a troubling resurgence of IS activity in the capital, as the group exploits lingering security vulnerabilities following Assad’s ousting .
The Syrian transitional government,which is now led by former Hayat Tahrir al‑Sham (HTS) figures, has intensified anti‑IS operations across the country and forged cautious collaboration with Kurdish‑led Syrian Democratic Forces . However, this attack underscores the ongoing threat posed by extremist sleeper cells and arms looted from retreating loyalist forces .
International reactions have been swift. The Greek Foreign Ministry called on Damascus’s transitional authorities to ensure the protection of religious minorities, while the United Nations condemned the massacre as a “heinous terrorist crime” . Domestically, Information Minister Hamza al‑Mustafa denounced the attack as “cowardly” and reaffirmed his government’s commitment to national unity and safeguarding all citizens .
Security has been significantly tightened in Christian neighbourhoods of the capital. Investigations into the bombing are ongoing as Syrian authorities work to bolster protection measures around places of worship.
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