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4h ago

Suicide Bomber Kills 22 at Damascus Church During Sunday Service

Syrian authorities have deployed specialised teams to investigate the IS-linked bombing at Mar Elias Church.

The attacker opened fire on worshippers before detonating an explosive vest. | Image: AP
People inspect the damage at the site of a suspected suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus
Image
A civil defense member inspects the damage after a reported attack at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of Damascus, Syria, on June 22.

Overview

  • At least 22 worshippers were killed and more than 60 injured when a suicide bomber opened fire and detonated an explosive vest inside the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church during Sunday services.
  • Eyewitnesses and security sources said a second gunman fired shots at the church door before the blast.
  • Syrian authorities have labelled it the first major Islamic State-linked attack since the regime’s December collapse, heightening fears of extremist sleeper cells in Damascus.
  • Interior Minister Anas Khattab dispatched specialised teams to probe the bombing and President Ahmed al-Sharaa vowed to uphold protections for religious minorities.
  • The Greek Foreign Ministry, UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen, US envoy Tom Barrack and other international actors condemned the assault and urged immediate action to safeguard Syria’s faith communities.