Suicide Bomber Attacks Crowded Syrian Church During Prayer, Killing At Least 20
Damascus, Syria – A suicide bomber attacked a packed Greek Orthodox church on the outskirts of the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Sunday, June 22, 2025, killing at least 20 people and wounding dozens more. The horrific attack targeted worshippers gathered for prayer inside the Mar Elias Church in the Dweil’a neighborhood.
State media outlet SANA, citing the Health Ministry, reported the death toll reached 20 with 52 others injured. Britain-based war monitor, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, gave a slightly lower death toll of at least 19 but confirmed dozens wounded. Local media outlets also indicated that children were among the casualties of the blast.
Details Emerge from the Attack
Witnesses and officials described a chaotic and violent scene. According to accounts, the assailant, with his face covered, first opened fire on the congregation before detonating an explosive vest inside the church. Some witness testimonies suggest he may have been accompanied by others who fled, while one account mentioned a second gunman firing at the church door just before the explosion. Another priest reported the attacker throwing a grenade before shooting and detonating.
Father Fadi Ghattas, present during the attack, recounted seeing at least 20 bodies and estimated around 350 people were praying at the time. Issam Nasr, another worshipper, described the sheer force of the blast, saying he saw people “blown to bits.” Eyewitness Lawrence Maamari told AFP that people inside the church attempted to stop the attacker before he detonated his belt.
Following the explosion, security forces and first responders rushed to the scene. Photographs circulated by state media showed the devastating damage inside the church, with pews covered in debris and blood. Survivors were seen wailing in distress as emergency teams worked.
Context of the Attack and Attibution
While no group immediately claimed responsibility, the Syrian Interior Ministry attributed the attack to an extremist from the Islamic State (ISIL/ISIS/Daesh) group. The ministry’s account aligned with several witness reports detailing shooting followed by a suicide detonation.
The bombing marks the first attack of its kind targeting a church in Syria in several years and comes at a complex time for the country. It occurs as the newly formed interim government under President Ahmad al-Sharaa attempts to consolidate power, assert authority, and build support among Syria’s minority communities after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in December. The attack highlights persistent concerns about the presence of ISIS sleeper cells in Syria, a nation still grappling with the aftermath of nearly 14 years of civil war.
In the weeks prior, the Syrian Interior Ministry had announced operations uncovering ISIS cells and seizing weapons, indicating ongoing efforts to combat extremist groups. Despite the security challenges, Syria has seen recent moves towards international reintegration, including the lifting of some sanctions by the United States and the European Union.
Widespread Condemnation
The attack drew swift condemnation from Syrian officials and the international community. Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa denounced the incident on X (formerly Twitter) as a “terrorist attack” and a “cowardly act” that goes against the country’s “civic values.” He affirmed the state’s commitment to equal citizenship and pledged to combat criminal organizations.
The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, expressed outrage at the “heinous crime” and condemned the “terrorist attack” in the strongest terms, calling for a full investigation. Condemnation also came from the foreign ministries of Turkiye and France, who described the act as “treacherous” and “despicable,” respectively, expressing solidarity with the Syrian people.
