Tragedy In Damascus: Suicide Bombing At Mar Elias Church Kills 20, Injures Over 50.
A horrific suicide bombing rocked the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of Damascus on Sunday, 22 June 2025, claiming the lives of at least 20 worshippers and injuring more than 50 others. The attack, the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December, has been attributed to a member of the Islamic State (IS) group, prompting widespread condemnation and renewed fears of sectarian violence.
Deadly Attack During Sunday Mass
The assault occurred during a packed afternoon mass at the Mar Elias Church, where approximately 350 people were gathered for prayer. According to Syria’s Interior Ministry, a lone attacker, identified as an IS militant, entered the church, opened fire on the congregation, and then detonated an explosive vest. A security source, speaking anonymously, suggested a second assailant may have been involved, firing at the church entrance before fleeing the scene.
Witnesses described scenes of chaos and devastation. Father Fadi Ghattas, who was present during the attack, recounted, “People were praying safely under the eyes of God. I saw at least 20 people killed with my own eyes.” Another worshipper, Issam Nasr, spoke of seeing congregants “blown to bits,” adding, “We have never held a knife in our lives. All we ever carried were our prayers.”
The explosion left the church’s interior in ruins, with blood-soaked floors, splintered pews, and shattered masonry. A livestream by Syria’s Civil Defence, the White Helmets, captured the grim aftermath, showing rescuers recovering bodies amidst the debris. Some local media reported that children were among the casualties, though official confirmation is pending.
Syrian Government and International Response
Syria’s transitional government, led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, condemned the attack as a “cowardly act” that violates the country’s values of unity. Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa vowed that the state would “exert all efforts to protect society from attacks threatening its safety.” The attack marks the first successful IS operation in Damascus since al-Assad’s ouster, raising concerns about the group’s attempts to exploit the security vacuum left by the regime’s collapse.
The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch issued a statement mourning the “numerous martyrs” and reaffirming its commitment to faith in the face of terror. “We offer our prayers for the repose of the souls of the martyrs, for the healing of the wounded, and for the consolation of our grieving faithful,” the church said.
International condemnation was swift. The foreign ministries of Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Israel, Greece, Cyprus, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the Palestinian Authority, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Ukraine, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands denounced the attack. The United States’ Special Envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, called it an act of “cowardice” that has “no place in the new tapestry of integrated tolerance and inclusion that Syrians are weaving.” The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, expressed “outrage” at the “heinous crime,” urging unity against terrorism and extremism.
Context of Rising Tensions
The bombing comes amid heightened regional instability, with the ongoing Israel-Iran conflict and recent US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities dominating headlines. The attack on Mar Elias Church is seen as part of IS’s efforts to reassert its presence in Syria following the fall of the Assad regime. The group has reportedly used propaganda, including images of President al-Sharaa meeting US President Donald Trump in Riyadh in May, to recruit disaffected fighters and sow discord.
Syria’s transitional government, led by former Islamist rebels from Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has been conducting anti-IS raids to curb the group’s influence. However, the attack underscores the challenges of securing the country amidst political transition and the presence of extremist sleeper cells.
A Call for Unity and Resilience
The Mar Elias Church bombing has sent shockwaves through Syria’s Christian community, which has faced persecution in the past. Syria’s Social Affairs and Labour Minister, Hind Kabawat, a Christian, visited the church on Sunday evening to express condolences and pledge support for the affected families. President al-Sharaa has reiterated his commitment to protecting minorities, a key pledge of his administration as it seeks to stabilise the country.
As rescue efforts continue and investigations into the attack deepen, the people of Damascus mourn the loss of life and pray for the recovery of the wounded. The bombing serves as a stark reminder of the persistent threat of terrorism in Syria, even as the nation strives to rebuild after years of conflict.
