Devastating Suicide Bombing Claims 20 Lives at Damascus Church

The recent suicide bombing at Mar Elias Church on the outskirts of Damascus, attributed to the Islamic State, has resulted in at least 20 fatalities and numerous injuries, marking a surge in sectarian violence in the region.

In a shocking incident, a suicide bombing at Mar Elias Church in Dweila, located on the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, has resulted in the loss of at least 20 lives, with an additional 52 individuals wounded, as reported by the Syrian health ministry. The assailant reportedly entered the church during a service, opened fire on worshippers, and then detonated an explosive vest. According to the interior ministry, the attacker was linked to the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), although there has been no immediate claim of responsibility from the group.

Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, with one individual recalling how someone entered the church armed and began shooting. Efforts to restrain the attacker were made, but he ultimately set off the explosives. Nearby shop workers reported witnessing flames emanating from the church and debris scattered across the entrance, including the remains of wooden benches.

Emergency response teams, recognized as the White Helmets, shared disturbing images and videos from within the church, showing a severely damaged altar and pews littered with broken glass, as blood covered the floor. Security forces swiftly cordoned off the area surrounding the church to conduct an investigation into the shocking attack.

This tragedy marks the first suicide bombing in Damascus since rebel forces ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, representing the Sunni Islamist group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) — a former al-Qaeda affiliate — has made repeated vows to safeguard religious and ethnic minorities. However, the recent surge in sectarian violence poses a significant challenge to these assurances, raising concerns about the worsening security situation in Syria.