According to the Syrian Ministry of Health and Security, a suicide bomber attacked a church full of people, injuring at least 20 and injuring dozens more.
On Sunday, during the mass inside the Mar Elias Church, an explosion occurred in Dweil’a, on the outskirts of Damascus.
A member of the ISIL (ISIS) group entered the church and fired at the people there before igniting himself with an explosives vest, according to the Syrian Interior Ministry, echoing some witness testimony.
The death toll that was reported was preliminary. According to a statement posted on Telegram on Sunday, “Rescue teams from the Syria Civil Defence continue to recover bodies from the scene.”
At least 50 others were hurt, according to the official state agency SANA, citing the Health Ministry.
Children were reported to be among the casualties in some local media reports.
The newly formed interim government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa is attempting to win the support of minorities with the latest attack, which was the first of its kind in Syria in a long time.
There have been concerns about the presence of sleeper cells affiliated with organizations like ISIL (ISIS) in Syria, which is recovering from a nearly 14-year civil war that left millions of people dead and displaced.
Since al-Sharaa became president in January 2025, both the United States and the European Union have lifted sanctions against Syria after its ouster.
He claimed that he was shooting at the church.
As the attacker fled as he was driving near the church, a witness who identified himself as Rawad claimed to have witnessed the suspect.
He claimed that while he was shooting at the church, he then blew himself up inside the church.
First responders and security personnel arrived on the scene quickly.
One woman screamed in agony as she tore up her tears and sat in her arms.
Hamza al-Mostafa, the country’s information minister, referred to the explosion as a “terrorist” attack.
He wrote in a post on X that “this cowardly act goes against the civic values that unite us.”
We pledge to continue fighting crime and protecting society from all threats to its safety, and we also support the state’s commitment to equal citizenship.
The “despicable” attack was condemned by France’s foreign ministry. France “exprims its full support to the Syrian people, who hope Syria will return to peace,” the ministry said in a statement.
The interior of the church, which was covered in debris and blood, was depicted in photos obtained by the Syria Civil Defense.
