Suicide Bombing at Damascus Church Claims Lives and Injures Many

Tragic Attack in Damascus

Damascus, June 23: A devastating suicide bombing occurred at a busy church in the Syrian capital during a mass service, where a bomber opened fire on congregants before detonating explosives, resulting in at least 19 fatalities and numerous injuries, according to security sources and monitoring organizations.

The Syrian health officials reported a current death toll of 13, with 53 individuals suffering injuries, as noted by a news agency.

The explosion struck the Mar Elias Church located in the Dweilaa district, a largely Christian area on the eastern outskirts of Damascus, leaving behind a scene of devastation with bloodied pews and broken icons, as described by witnesses and local media.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights indicated that the assailant fired shots inside the crowded church prior to the explosion, leading to "significant human losses." The organization warned that the death toll could increase due to the critical state of many injured individuals.

Interior security officials confirmed the attacker had ties to the Islamic State (IS). In a statement on social media, interior chief Hamzah Al-Mustafa denounced the "despicable terrorist act," asserting that such actions contradict the values of citizenship uniting Syrians, and reiterated the government's dedication to national unity, equal rights, and combating criminal factions that jeopardize public safety.

Emergency services quickly secured the area as ambulances transported the injured to hospitals in Damascus. Authorities advised the public to steer clear of the area to facilitate medical operations and mitigate the risk of further attacks.

This incident marks the first attack of its kind on a church in Damascus in several years, raising alarms about the presence of sleeper cells in the capital.