Deadly Church Attack in Damascus: Syria Mourns One of Its Worst Religious Attacks in Years

Image: Jihad Watch

In a horrifying act of terror that has shaken the Syrian capital to its core, at least 25 people lost their lives and 63 others were injured in a suicide bombing at a church in Damascus on Sunday evening, according to Syria’s health ministry. The attack targeted the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in the Dweila neighborhood during an ongoing religious service, turning a sacred moment into a scene of bloodshed and chaos.

According to the interior ministry, the assailant—armed and wearing an explosive vest—stormed into the church and opened fire on the congregation before detonating himself. Authorities say the attacker was affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group, although the group itself has not officially claimed responsibility as of now.

Scenes of Devastation Inside the Church

Shocking images and videos captured from inside the church reveal the aftermath of the explosion: shattered pews, glass strewn across the floor, blood splattered on the walls, and a once-pristine altar left in ruins. Eyewitnesses described the horror they witnessed. Lawrence Maamari, a churchgoer, told AFP that the gunman “entered from outside carrying a weapon and began shooting.” He added, “Some people tried to stop him, but he managed to blow himself up.”

Another witness, Ziad, who was in a nearby shop, said he heard a volley of gunfire followed by a powerful explosion that sent glass and debris flying. “We saw fire inside the church. The benches had been hurled all the way to the entrance,” he recounted.

The explosion reportedly occurred near the church’s entrance, killing not just worshippers inside but also others standing in the immediate vicinity.

Religious Leaders and Global Figures Condemn the Attack

In a strong statement, the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch condemned the incident, calling it a "treacherous act of evil" that claimed the lives of innocent people who had gathered in peace and prayer. “Our beloved martyrs fell while participating in the evening divine liturgy,” the patriarchate stated, demanding that Syrian authorities take full responsibility for the repeated violations against religious sanctuaries and ensure the safety of all citizens.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis echoed this sentiment, urging Syria’s interim leadership to implement concrete measures to protect ethnic and religious minorities in the country.

A Fragile Peace Shattered

This marks the first major attack in Damascus since Islamist-led rebel forces overthrew President Bashar al-Assad in December, concluding more than a decade of civil war. Despite a new government under interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa—whose group, Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), has controversial Islamist roots and a history of extremism—sectarian tensions and violence remain far from resolved.

While al-Sharaa has pledged to protect all minorities, including Christians, Syria has experienced two major waves of sectarian violence in recent months, suggesting these promises are not enough to ensure lasting peace.

A Grim Reminder of IS's Lingering Threat

The Islamic State has a long and brutal history of targeting religious minorities in Syria. One of the group’s most notorious attacks occurred in 2016, when a series of bombings near the Shia Sayyida Zeinab shrine in Damascus killed more than 70 people. Though IS was territorially defeated in 2019, when it lost its last stronghold, the group remains a significant threat.

A UN report published earlier this year warned that the current transition period in Syria could allow IS to regain momentum. It estimated that IS still has between 1,500 and 3,000 active fighters in Syria and Iraq, with many hiding in Syria’s central Badia desert, where they reportedly plan external operations. Approximately 9,000 IS militants are currently held in prisons in northeastern Syria, while an additional 40,000 individuals—mostly women and children with links to IS—remain confined in overcrowded detention camps.

Global Condemnation and Calls for Unity

The attack has drawn international outrage. The UN’s special envoy for Syria, Geir Pedersen, strongly condemned the violence, urging Syrians of all backgrounds to unite in rejecting terrorism, extremism, and the targeting of religious communities.

US special envoy Tom Barrack echoed those sentiments, calling the bombing a “cowardly act” and stressing that such violence has no place in the inclusive future Syrians are striving to build. The Arab League’s Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit also condemned the assault, expressing hope that the Syrian government will intensify efforts to neutralize terrorist threats.

Conclusion

Sunday’s bombing serves as a painful reminder that while the guns of Syria’s civil war may have fallen silent in some regions, the dangers of extremism and sectarian violence remain deeply embedded. As Syria navigates a turbulent transition, the ability of its interim government to protect its diverse religious and ethnic communities will be a crucial test of its legitimacy and vision for peace. Without urgent and sustained action, the sacrifices of those who perished in Damascus may tragically foreshadow further instability in a nation still healing from years of devastation.

(This Article was originally published by Jihad Watch)