A suicide bombing at Saint Elias Church in the Dwelaa neighborhood of Damascus left at least 20 people dead and 52 others injured on Sunday, in what authorities described as the first major attack on a Christian place of worship in the Syrian capital since the civil war began in 2011.
Syria’s interior ministry blamed the assault on the Islamic State group, labeling it a terrorist act aimed at undermining national stability.
The ministry said the attack occurred when “a suicide attacker affiliated with the Daesh (IS) terrorist group entered the church where he opened fire then blew himself up with an explosive belt.”
AFP correspondents at the scene reported a devastating aftermath, including shattered wooden pews, blood-soaked floors, and damaged religious icons, as emergency personnel rushed to assist victims.
Eyewitness Lawrence Maamari recalled the chaos: “Someone entered the church from outside carrying a weapon and began shooting. People tried to stop him before he blew himself up.” Ziad, a 40-year-old shopkeeper nearby, described hearing gunfire followed by a powerful explosion.
“We saw fire in the church and the remains of wooden benches thrown all the way to the entrance,” he said.
The international response was swift and unequivocal. UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen condemned the bombing as a “heinous crime” and called for a thorough investigation. U.S. Special Envoy Tom Barrack reaffirmed American support for Syria’s anti-terrorism efforts, while Jordan expressed solidarity with Damascus in its fight against extremism. France also condemned the “abject” attack, emphasizing the importance of preserving Syria’s religious diversity.
Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab stated that the bombing would not derail national reconciliation efforts. “These terrorist acts will not stop the efforts of the Syrian state in achieving civil peace,” he said. Authorities have launched an investigation into the attack, which comes amid warnings of a renewed Islamic State threat.
Khattab previously noted that the group had shifted its focus to targeting religious minorities and key locations, reflecting a change in its tactics. The bombing presents a serious challenge for Syria’s newly formed government, which assumed power following the removal of Bashar al-Assad in December.
This incident follows a series of recent counterterrorism operations, including the dismantling of an IS cell near Damascus last month and a deadly raid in Aleppo that left three militants and one security officer dead.
As rescue efforts continue, several churchgoers remain unaccounted for, and families are searching hospitals for missing relatives. The bombing has reignited fear among Syria’s Christian community, which made up about 10 percent of the country’s population before the war.
The attack highlights the precarious state of security during Syria’s post-war transition. Despite losing its territorial stronghold in 2019, IS continues to operate in the country’s eastern desert regions, posing an ongoing threat to stability.
