A tragic scene unfolded in Damascus on Sunday as a suicide bombing and gunfire tore through a church packed with worshippers, leaving at least 22 people dead and dozens more injured. Syrian authorities have identified the attacker as a member of the Islamic State group.
The violence struck during a service at Saint Elias Church in the Dwelaa district, marking an unprecedented act of terror in the heart of the capital. This is the first time a church in Damascus has been directly targeted since Syria’s conflict began in 2011.
Inside the church, the aftermath was devastating—scattered pews, shattered icons, and blood on the floor. Witnesses described scenes of panic and confusion. Some tried to confront the attacker before he detonated an explosive belt.
Lawrence Maamari, who was present at the service, said the man entered the building and began shooting. “We tried to stop him, but then he blew himself up,” he recounted. Nearby, Ziad Helou recalled hearing gunfire and an explosion, followed by flying glass and chaos at the church entrance.
The Syrian Health Ministry confirmed the casualties, reporting 22 lives lost and 63 people injured.
Images from the scene show a shaken community and emergency workers responding to the destruction. Families of the victims were left reeling, some still searching for loved ones.
The Orthodox patriarchate in Damascus condemned the attack and called on the authorities to take urgent steps to protect religious communities and respect places of worship.
Syria’s Christian population has dramatically declined over the years—from roughly one million before the war to fewer than 300,000 today—largely due to violence and displacement.
The international response was swift. UN Special Envoy Geir Pedersen condemned the bombing as a “heinous crime,” while U.S. and Turkish officials expressed solidarity with Syrians and called for continued unity against extremism. France also renewed its call for a peaceful and inclusive future in Syria.
Back home, Interior Minister Anas Khattab described the bombing as a deliberate attempt to undermine Syria’s fragile national cohesion. He vowed that security agencies would investigate thoroughly and that those responsible would be brought to justice.
Khattab had recently warned that extremist groups like ISIS were shifting toward more targeted attacks, especially against minority communities. Authorities claim they’ve thwarted similar attempts in recent weeks and are on high alert.
Although ISIS no longer controls territory, the group remains a persistent threat. It had once claimed a vast region straddling Syria and Iraq, but was defeated territorially in 2019. Still, Sunday’s deadly assault is a reminder that its violent ideology continues to endanger lives and challenge stability in the region.
As Syria navigates a post-conflict future, the attack on Saint Elias Church has reignited calls for greater protection of all communities and a firm response to those who seek to divide.
