Suicide Attack
At least 15 people lost their lives in a devastating suicide bombing that targeted the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus, Syria’s capital, on Sunday.
Security sources confirmed the tragic attack, marking it as the first suicide bombing within Damascus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime amid the Islamist-led rebel insurgency that began in December.
According to Syria’s interior ministry, the suicide bomber was affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS). The assailant reportedly entered the church premises, opened fire on worshippers, and then detonated an explosive vest, causing significant casualties and widespread destruction.
The ministry’s statement further revealed that two men were involved in the coordinated attack, with only one carrying out the suicide bombing.
Initial casualty figures provided by Syria’s health ministry, as cited by the state news agency, estimated at least nine people killed and 13 others injured in the attack. However, later reports updated the death toll to 15, reflecting the severity of the bombing.
A harrowing livestream from the scene by Syria’s civil defence group, the White Helmets, captured graphic images of the aftermath within the church. The footage showed a blood-stained floor scattered with debris, shattered pews, and broken masonry, underlining the brutal nature of the assault on a place of worship.
The attack on Mar Elias Church sent shockwaves across Syria, particularly as it targeted a religious minority. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed leadership in January after spearheading the offensive against Assad’s regime, has consistently pledged to safeguard minority communities during his transitional government.
The bombing, however, highlights the ongoing dangers faced by religious minorities amidst Syria’s complex and volatile civil conflict.
This attack is seen as a significant escalation in violence inside Damascus, underscoring the continued threat posed by extremist groups such as ISIS, even in areas that had previously been considered more secure. The tragedy raises serious concerns about the stability and security of the Syrian capital as the nation grapples with years of war and insurgency.
