A suicide bomber killed at least 22 people after opening fire and then detonating an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria.
The attack, which took place on Sunday, marks the first major terror incident since President Bashar al Assad was overthrown in December. Officials say the assailant was affiliated with the Islamic State.
Related posts
The bombing occurred during a prayer service, with an estimated 350 worshippers inside the church at the time. Witnesses described a chaotic scene, saying the attacker had his face covered when he started shooting. He detonated the vest as worshippers attempted to force him out.
A local security source told Reuters that two men were involved in the attack. A priest at the church also reported seeing a second gunman at the entrance.
Authorities confirmed 63 people were injured, including several children.
Syria’s Information Minister, Hamza Mostafa, strongly condemned the attack, writing on X:
“This cowardly act goes against the civic values that bring us together. We will not back down from our commitment to equal citizenship… and we also affirm the state’s pledge to exert all its efforts to combat criminal organisations.”
Reports suggest Islamic State had previously attempted attacks on churches in Syria following Assad’s fall, but this was the first successful strike.
Video footage from Syria’s civil defence group, the White Helmets, revealed the aftermath of the bombing: bloodied floors, shattered pews, and widespread devastation inside the church.
Greece’s foreign ministry also responded, saying it “unequivocally condemns the abhorrent terrorist suicide bombing” and urged Syrian authorities to implement stronger measures to protect Christian communities.
