ISIS Terror Returns: Suicide Bomber Massacres 22 Christians in Damascus Church During Sunday Mass, Syrian Officials Report

A suspected ISIS suicide bomber carried out a devastating attack inside a Damascus church on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people and injuring more than 50 others during a religious service.

The deadly explosion occurred at the Mar Elias Church in Dweil’a, located on the outskirts of Syria’s capital city. 

The attack took place during a crowded prayer service when the facility was packed with worshippers.

Syrian Interior Ministry officials reported that the attacker, believed to have connections to the Islamic State group, forced his way into the building and began shooting at congregants before detonating an explosive vest.

A local witness named Rawad provided details of the attack to the Associated Press. 

“He was shooting at the church … he then went inside the church and blew himself up,” Rawad stated.

The Syrian Civil Defence organization, commonly known as the White Helmets, released photographs from the scene showing the extensive damage caused by the explosion. 

The images revealed splintered wooden pews covered in blood and surrounded by debris from the blast.

Multiple media outlets reported that children were among the casualties in this heinous attack on innocent worshippers.

This bombing marks the first major suicide attack to occur within Damascus since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. 

The timing of the attack has raised concerns about security during Syria’s transitional period.

Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa issued a strong condemnation of the violence and pledged to eliminate remaining terrorist cells operating within the country’s borders.

Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mostafa characterized the attack as “cowardly” and assured the public that “the state will exert all efforts to protect society from all attacks threatening its safety,” according to Al Jazeera’s reporting.

The international community responded swiftly to condemn the church bombing. 

The Daily Caller outlined that the United Nations, France and Turkey all issued statements denouncing the attack.

United Nations envoy Geir Pedersen labeled the attack a “heinous crime” and called for authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the incident.

Syrian security forces believe that two additional suspects may have participated in planning or executing the attack, though these individuals reportedly escaped from the scene before the explosion occurred.

As of the time of publication, the Islamic State organization has not officially claimed responsibility for the church bombing, though investigators continue to pursue the ISIS connection.

“I thank Syria’s President Ahmed al-Sharaa for immediately issuing this statement to condemn the evil attack on Christians in his country and in his city, today,” visiting fellow Rev. Johnnie Moore of the SNF Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University posted on X.

“The only real future for Syria is one where Christians are at its heart, as equal citizens with no reason to fear. It was indeed, as you say here, an attack on all Syrians.”

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