An Orthodox church bombing in Syria has left at least 22 people dead and 63 injured, after a suicide attacker targeted worshippers during Sunday services in Damascus. The attack, claimed by Islamic State (ISIS), marks the deadliest such incident in the capital since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.
The bomber reportedly entered the Church of Saint Elijah in the Douela district, opened fire on the congregation, and then detonated the explosives strapped to his body, according to Syria’s Foreign Ministry.
Eyewitness accounts described a scene of horror. “Someone entered the church with a gun and started shooting indiscriminately,” said Laurence Maamari. “When some of the faithful tried to stop him, he detonated his explosives.”
One woman, in tears outside the church, told reporters she was searching for her son. “My son prays in this church,” she said. “I’ve been trying to reach him, but his phone is off. I’m afraid I’ll never hear his voice again.”
Journalists on the scene described blood-covered icons and debris scattered across the church floor, as emergency responders evacuated injured worshippers.
The Orthodox church bombing in Syria has been widely condemned. The United Nations, United States, France, and Greece all issued statements denouncing the attack.
Greek Defence Minister Nikos Dendias posted on X that the attack was met with “revulsion and deep sorrow”, adding:
“It tragically highlights, once again, the need to protect Christian populations in the Middle East.”
He expressed solidarity with Patriarch John X of Antioch and his congregation.
Though ISIS lost its so-called “caliphate” in 2017 (Iraq) and 2019 (Syria), its remnants remain active in Syria’s vast desert regions. This latest attack is the second claimed by ISIS since May, when the group struck a government outpost.
Syrian authorities report that several ISIS suspects have since been arrested near Damascus, accused of planning additional attacks. In a separate operation in Aleppo, security forces killed three militants and lost one of their own.
The church targeted in the attack is part of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch, one of the most ancient Christian communities in the world — now facing renewed threats amid Syria’s fragile political transition.
BREAKING: A suicide attack took place at the St. Elias church in Dwel'a, on the eastern outskirts of Damascus.pic.twitter.com/Pen5sp25cc
— Clash Report (@clashreport) June 22, 2025
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