At least 20 killed, 52 injured in suicide bombing at Damascus church
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DAMASCUS - At least 20 people were killed and dozens injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of Syria’s capital Damascus on June 22, health authorities and security sources said.
The incident marks the first suicide bombing in Damascus since former president Bashar al-Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led rebel insurgency last December.
Syria’s Interior Ministry said the suicide bomber was a member of the terror group Islamic State.
The attacker entered the church, opened fire and then detonated his explosive vest, the ministry added in a statement.
A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.
Islamic State has been behind several attempted attacks on churches in Syria since Mr Assad’s fall, but this was the first to succeed, another security source told Reuters.
Syria’s state news agency cited the Health Ministry as saying that 52 people were also injured in the blast.
A live stream from the site by Syria’s civil defence, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction inside the church, including a bloodied floor and shattered pews and masonry.
People inspecting the damage at Mar Elias Church in Damascus following the attack.
PHOTO: AFP
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the offensive against Mr Assad before taking over in January for a transitional phase, has repeatedly said he will protect minorities.
The Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement: “We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent terrorist suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria.
“We demand that the Syrian transitional authorities take immediate action to hold those involved accountable and implement measures to guarantee the safety of Christian communities and all religious groups, allowing them to live without fear.”
Islamic State had previously targeted religious minorities, including a major attack on Shi’ite pilgrims in Sayeda Zainab in 2016 – one of the most notorious bombings during Mr Assad’s rule.
The latest assault underscores the group’s continued ability to exploit security gaps despite the collapse of its territorial control and years of counter-terrorism efforts. REUTERS
