At least 20 people lost their lives and more than 50 others were injured in a devastating suicide bombing at a church in Damascus, Syria. The attack took place at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Dweila neighborhood on Sunday, June 23, 2025, marking the deadliest assault on a place of worship in the capital since the end of the civil war and the fall of the previous regime.
According to officials, the suicide bomber was a member of the Islamic State. Eyewitness accounts and security reports indicate that the attacker entered the church during a service, opened fire on the congregants, and then detonated an explosive vest. Preliminary findings suggest a second individual may have been involved in orchestrating the bombing, though details remain under investigation.
This incident has shaken a city that had begun to experience relative calm following years of conflict. It is the first successful suicide bombing in Damascus since the ousting of the former president and represents a serious blow to the transitional government’s ongoing efforts to secure the capital and restore public trust.
Footage from the scene painted a grim picture: shattered pews, crumbled walls, and bloodstained floors. Civil defense teams rushed to rescue survivors and transport the injured to nearby hospitals. Among the wounded were elderly parishioners, children, and women who had gathered for Sunday mass.
This brutal attack is part of a broader trend of targeted violence against religious minorities in Syria. Despite losing its territorial strongholds, the Islamic State has continued to carry out sporadic but deadly assaults, exploiting lapses in security and aiming to inflame sectarian divisions. The bombing is reminiscent of previous attacks on places of worship, including a notorious strike on Shiite pilgrims in Sayeda Zainab nearly a decade ago.
The country’s transitional president condemned the attack and vowed swift justice. He reiterated his government’s commitment to safeguarding all religious groups, stating that such atrocities would not derail the nation’s path toward peace and unity. Religious and international communities also expressed outrage and solidarity, urging stronger measures to protect vulnerable populations.
The incident raises urgent questions about the effectiveness of current security strategies and highlights the persistent threat posed by extremist elements. Despite progress in dismantling organized militant networks, isolated operatives still pose a significant challenge.
As Syrians mourn the loss of innocent lives, the attack has reignited concerns over the fragile state of national security and the resilience of extremist ideology. For many, the bombing is a painful reminder that the fight for peace in Syria is far from over, even as the country attempts to rebuild from the ashes of war.
