A suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in Damascus’s Dweila neighbourhood on Sunday, June 22, claimed the lives of at least 20 people and left dozens injured, according to health authorities and security sources.
The attack marks the first suicide bombing in the Syrian capital since former President Bashar al-Assad was overthrown by an Islamist-led rebel insurgency in December 2024.
Syria’s interior ministry stated that the attacker was a member of the Islamic State. The ministry reported that the assailant entered the church during a service, opened fire, and then detonated his explosive vest. A security official said that two individuals were involved in the operation, including the suicide bomber.
Islamic State has attempted several attacks on churches in Syria following the fall of Assad’s government, but this was the first successful one, security sources said.
The health ministry confirmed that 52 people sustained injuries in the explosion. Footage from the Syrian civil defence, known as the White Helmets, showed extensive damage inside the church, including bloodied floors and broken pews and masonry.
The attack took place during a period of political transition in Syria. President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who succeeded Assad in January following the rebel-led offensive, had pledged to protect the rights and safety of religious minorities.
The Greek foreign ministry condemned the bombing and called on Syrian authorities to ensure the protection of Christian communities and other religious groups.
Islamic State has a history of targeting religious minorities in Syria, with one of the most infamous attacks being the 2016 bombing of Shiite pilgrims in Sayeda Zainab during Assad’s rule.
The latest incident highlights the continuing threat posed by the group, despite the loss of its territorial strongholds and years of international counterterrorism operations.
