https://arab.news/jembw
- It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar Assad was toppled
- Syria鈥檚 interior ministry said the suicide bomber was a member of Daesh group
At least 20 people were killed and dozens injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Syria鈥檚 capital Damascus on Sunday, health authorities and security sources said.
It was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar Assad was toppled in December. Syria鈥檚 interior ministry said the suicide bomber was a member of Daesh (Islamic State). He entered the church, opened fire and then detonated his explosive vest, a ministry statement added.
A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.
Daesh has been behind several attempted attacks on churches in Syria since Assad鈥檚 fall, but this was the first to succeed, another security source told Reuters.
Syria鈥檚 state news agency cited the health ministry as saying that 52 people were also injured in the blast.
A livestream from the site by Syria鈥檚 civil defense, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction from inside the church, including a bloodied floor and shattered pews and masonry.
Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who led the offensive against Assad before taking over in January for a transitional phase, has repeatedly said he will protect minorities.
鈥淲e unequivocally condemn the abhorrent terrorist suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria,鈥� the Greek foreign ministry said in a statement.
鈥淲e 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.鈥�
Daesh had previously targeted religious minorities, including a major attack on Shiite pilgrims in Sayeda Zainab in 2016 鈥� one of the most notorious bombings during Assad鈥檚 rule.
The latest assault underscores the group鈥檚 continued ability to exploit security gaps despite the collapse of its territorial control and years of counterterrorism efforts.