Devastating Explosion at Syrian Church Claims Multiple Lives

In a tragic event on Sunday, a suicide bomber unleashed an explosion inside a congregation-packed church, resulting in a minimum of 12 fatalities, reported Syrian state media.

This incident occurred at the Mar Elias Church situated in Dweil’a, on the peripheries of Damascus, during prayer service. According to SANA, referencing the Health Ministry, over 53 individuals sustained injuries. Meanwhile, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, operating out of the UK, indicated at least 19 people were killed with numerous others hurt, though they did not provide precise figures. Some reports from local channels suggest that children were also victims of this violence.

This marks the first such assault in Syria for many years, happening while Damascus navigates de facto Islamic governance, attempting to secure backing from minority communities. President Ahmad al-Sharaa is grappling with challenges in asserting control nationwide amid concerns over dormant extremist cells on Syrian soil.

Although no organization immediately took credit for the attack, the Syrian Interior Ministry indicated an Islamic State affiliate executed the atrocity, shooting at attendees prior to detonating an explosive vest, corroborating some eye-witness accounts.

Hamza Mostafa, Syria's Information Minister, vehemently denounced the violence, labeling it as terrorism.

He stated, 'This heinous crime opposes the principles that unite us,' on X, formerly recognized as Twitter. 'We remain unwavering in our commitment to equal citizenship and reiterate the state's resolve to fight criminal entities and ensure the safety of its people.'

Bishop Moussa Khoury shared that the assailant threw a grenade during afternoon mass prayers in addition to the explosive vest.

‘He initiated gunfire, entered, and then detonated the explosive within the church,’ the bishop recounted to the AP.

An eyewitness, identifying himself as Rawad, narrated to The Associated Press his experience of observing the attacker flanked by two accomplices who fled as he drove past the church.

‘After shooting at the church, he went inside and triggered the explosion,’ the witness described.

However, according to church priest Meletius Shahati, there was another assailant who fired shots at the church entrance before the suicide vest detonation.

Emergency teams and security personnel swiftly arrived at the scene. Survivors, overtaken by shock, were seen in despair, with a woman shown collapsing into tears. A photograph distributed by SANA depicted church pews tarnished with debris and blood stains.