Damascus, Syria :June 22, 2025:
A deadly suicide bombing struck a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus on Sunday, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 50 during a prayer service. The attack, which took place at the historic Mar Elias Church in the Dweila district, is being condemned as one of the deadliest assaults on Christian worshippers in recent years in Syria.
According to Syrian authorities and international media reports, a lone suicide bomber detonated explosives during a crowded prayer session, causing panic and extensive casualties among churchgoers. Witnesses reported hearing gunfire prior to the explosion, suggesting that the attacker may have attempted to shoot his way into the church before setting off the device.
No group has officially claimed responsibility, but the Syrian Interior Ministry has pointed fingers at ISIS-affiliated operatives, describing the attack as a “cowardly assault on Syria’s cultural and religious unity.” International leaders, including representatives from the UN and the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate, condemned the act as a heinous violation of human rights and religious freedom.
Authorities have launched an investigation, and Syrian security forces have increased patrols around other religious sites in Damascus. The attack has reignited global concerns over the fragile security situation in Syria, particularly the threat posed by extremist factions still active in the region.
