A tragic attack occurred in Syria when a suicide bomber targeted a church filled with worshippers, resulting in at least 20 deaths and many injuries. The incident took place during Sunday mass at the Mar Elias Church in Dweil’a, located on the outskirts of Damascus. The Syrian Ministry of Health and security officials confirmed the details, noting that rescue teams were still working to recover bodies from the scene.
Witnesses reported that the attacker, believed to be linked to the ISIS group, entered the church after firing at the congregation and detonated an explosives vest. This shocking act marks one of the first church attacks in Syria in several years, raising alarms about the ongoing threat of extremist groups in the region.
Local media indicated that among the casualties were children, adding to the tragedy of the event. The Syrian Interior Ministry stated that the attacker was part of a larger group, with two accomplices fleeing the scene before the blast. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos as security forces and first responders rushed to help the victims.
Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mostafa condemned the attack, labeling it a "terrorist" act that undermines the values of unity and citizenship. He assured the public that the government remains committed to fighting such criminal organizations.
International reactions poured in, with the United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, expressing outrage and calling for a thorough investigation. Turkey’s foreign ministry condemned the attack as a threat to peace in Syria, while France expressed solidarity with the Syrian people in their pursuit of stability.
The attack comes at a challenging time for Syria, as the interim government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa seeks to gain support from minority groups amid ongoing concerns about the presence of ISIS sleeper cells. The situation in Syria remains fragile, with the country still recovering from years of civil war that has devastated its population and infrastructure.