Damascus Church Attack Leaves 20 Dead in Rare Suicide Bombing
In one of the deadliest terrorist incidents to strike the Syrian capital in recent years, at least 22 people were killed and over 50 wounded when a suicide bomber affiliated with the Islamic State group (Daesh) targeted a church during Sunday prayers in Damascus.
The attacker, armed with an automatic weapon and wearing an explosive belt, stormed the St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Dwelaa neighbourhood of western Damascus during a packed service. Witnesses reported that the assailant opened fire indiscriminately on worshippers before triggering the bomb inside the sanctuary.
The blast tore through the congregation mid-prayer, killing and injuring many on the spot. Eyewitnesses described scenes of chaos, shattered pews, and bodies strewn across the floor of the historic church. Emergency responders rushed to the scene to tend to the wounded and transport them to nearby hospitals.
The <a title="Syria" href="https://www.benefitnews24.com/opinion/from-pariahs-to-partners-the-new-world-order/11885" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Syrian</a> Interior Ministry confirmed that the assailant was linked to Daesh, marking the first such church attack in Damascus since the civil conflict began in 2011. This is also the first major terror incident in the capital since Islamist-led factions ousted former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Simultaneously, other explosions rocked parts of the capital, with local reports suggesting possible car bombings in separate but seemingly coordinated incidents. Authorities have not yet confirmed whether these blasts were linked to the church attack.
Interior Minister Anas Khattab, who visited the site, condemned the bombing as a &ldquo;reprehensible crime&rdquo; and vowed that the perpetrators and their networks would be pursued. He also stated that specialised counterterrorism teams had begun investigations to determine how the attack was carried out and whether further plots were underway.
Officials noted that the United States had previously passed intelligence to Syrian authorities about a foiled IS plot targeting the Sayyida Zeinab district, south of Damascus. Despite this, Sunday&rsquo;s bombing appears to have slipped through existing security nets.
The international community has widely condemned the attack, which many see as a grim reminder of Daesh&rsquo;s continued presence and capacity for violence within Syria. While the terror group lost its territorial &ldquo;caliphate&rdquo; in 2019, its fighters have remained active, particularly in remote desert regions, occasionally resurfacing to target both civilians and state institutions.
Security in Damascus had largely stabilised in recent months, with only sporadic threats reported. The return of such a large-scale bombing &ndash; especially one aimed at a Christian place of worship &ndash; has reignited fears of sectarian violence and a resurgence of extremist activity.
Authorities have raised the alert level across the capital and urged the public to remain vigilant as investigations continue.

St. Elias Greek Orthodox Church after Bomb attack in Damascus

Worshippers gunned down, then bombed at St. Elias Church in deadliest Damascus attack in years

Suicide Blast Hits Church in Damascus, 22 Killed

Worshippers gunned down, then bombed at St. Elias Church in deadliest Damascus attack in years

June 23, 2025 | 11:28 IST