Overview

• A June 22 suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus killed at least 25 worshippers and wounded more than 60 in Syria’s first church attack since 2011.
• President Ahmad al-Sharaa blamed ISIS and vowed to hold perpetrators accountable after security forces arrested the cell leader and five members and killed two others linked to the attack.
• The Orthodox Patriarch of Antioch condemned the massacre and praised peaceful demonstrations urging unity and stronger protections for religious minorities.
• Analysts warn that despite the recent raids, ISIS sleeper cells and other extremist networks remain active in Syria’s east and may mount further attacks.
• Heightened fears of sectarian violence are driving some Christians and other minority communities to seek refuge abroad.