Overview

• A suicide bomber opened fire and detonated explosives at the Church of St. Elias in Damascus’s Dweil’a district on June 22, killing at least 25 parishioners and wounding 60 others.
• The Syrian government blamed ISIL for the strike and a jihadist group called Saraya Ansar al-Sunna later claimed responsibility.
• State media said security operations in the Damascus countryside led to the arrest of a suspected cell leader and five members and the killing of two accomplices linked to the bombing.
• President Ahmad al-Sharaa condemned the attack as a treacherous act and vowed to bring those responsible to justice to reassure minority communities.
• As the first suicide bombing at a Syrian church since 2011, the incident has raised urgent questions about the new government’s capacity to counter extremist networks and protect vulnerable groups.