Damascus : In a horrifying act of terrorism, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest inside St. Elias Church in the Douweila (Dwaila) district of Damascus, Syria on Sunday during a prayer service. The deadly blast claimed the lives of 20 worshippers and left 13 others critically injured, sending shockwaves through what is considered one of the most secure zones in the Syrian capital.
According to reports from Reuters and official Syrian media, the attacker entered the church while a large crowd had gathered for Sunday prayers. Eyewitnesses and security officials confirmed that the assailant opened fire indiscriminately before detonating himself inside the sanctuary.
ISIS Suspected Behind the Attack
The Syrian Ministry of Interior has confirmed that the attack was carried out by a suicide bomber affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS). While no group has officially claimed responsibility as of yet, authorities suspect ISIS operatives were involved in orchestrating the assault, given the mode of attack and the location.
“This is a cowardly terrorist act aimed at disrupting civil peace and national unity,” said Dr. Hamza Al-Mustafa, Syria’s Information Minister, in an official statement. Expressing deep condolences to the victims’ families, he emphasized, “The attack on St. Elias Church is not just an assault on faith, but an attack on the core values of Syrian coexistence and harmony.”
National Unity in Focus
Dr. Al-Mustafa also reiterated the Syrian government’s resolve to intensify its crackdown on terrorist networks operating within the country. “Our citizens stand united in the face of these extremist ideologies. Such acts will not weaken our resolve to foster interfaith unity and protect our communities,” he added.
The Douweila district, located near the center of Damascus, is generally considered a secure zone under tight government surveillance, which raises serious questions about how the attacker managed to breach security.
International Reactions Expected
Global condemnation is expected to follow, as religious institutions and governments express solidarity with the Syrian Christian community. This attack marks one of the deadliest on a religious site in Syria in recent years, and could potentially reignite concerns over a resurgent ISIS threat amid ongoing regional instability.
Authorities have cordoned off the area, and an extensive investigation is underway. Security has been tightened across religious institutions in Damascus as the nation reels from the shocking incident.
