At least 20 killed in Damascus church bombing attack, dozens wounded | Armed Groups News

The blast in Dweil’a on the outskirts of Syria’s capital was carried out as individuals have been praying contained in the Mar Elias Church.

A suicide bomber in Syria has carried out an assault inside a church crammed with individuals, killing a minimum of 20 individuals and wounding dozens extra, in keeping with the Syria’s Ministry of Well being and safety officers.

The explosion in Dweil’a on the outskirts of Damascus came about as individuals have been praying throughout mass contained in the Mar Elias Church on Sunday.

No group instantly claimed duty, however the Syrian Inside Ministry mentioned a fighter from the ISIL (ISIS) group entered the church and fired on the individuals there earlier than detonating himself with an explosives vest, echoing some witness testimonies.

The demise toll reported was a preliminary one. “Rescue groups from the Syria Civil Defence proceed to get better our bodies from the scene,” an announcement on Telegram mentioned on Sunday.

Official state company SANA, citing the Well being Ministry, mentioned that a minimum of 50 others have been wounded.

Some native media reported that youngsters have been among the many casualties.

The assault was the primary of its sort in Syria in years, and comes because the fledgling interim authorities led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa is attempting to win the assist of minorities.

As al-Sharaa struggles to exert authority throughout Syria, there have been considerations in regards to the presence of sleeper cells of teams like ISIL (ISIS) within the nation recovering from almost 14 years of devastating civil struggle that killed a whole bunch of 1000’s and displaced thousands and thousands.

Syria has made vital inroads again into the worldwide fold since al-Sharaa turned president in January 2025, with each the USA and the European Union lifting sanctions from the period of ousted President Bashar al-Assad.

‘He was taking pictures on the church’

A witness who recognized himself as Rawad instructed The Related Press that he noticed the attacker, who was accompanied by two others who fled as he was driving close to the church.

“He was taking pictures on the church … he then went contained in the church and blew himself up,” he mentioned.

Safety forces and first responders rushed to the scene.

Panicked survivors wailed, as one girl fell to her knees and burst into tears.

Syrian Info Minister Hamza al-Mostafa condemned the blast, calling it a “terrorist” assault.

“This cowardly act goes towards the civic values that convey us collectively,” he mentioned in a publish on X.

“We won’t again down from our dedication to equal citizenship … and we additionally affirm the state’s pledge to exert all its efforts to fight legal organisations and to guard society from all assaults threatening its security.”

The United Nations Particular Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen condemned “within the strongest attainable phrases the terrorist assault at St. Elias Church” and expressed “his outrage at this heinous crime.” His assertion additionally famous “that the Syrian interim authorities have attributed this assault to ISIL and (he) requires a full investigation and motion by the authorities.”

Turkiye’s international ministry mentioned the “treacherous” assault aimed to disrupt efforts to attain stability and safety in Syria.

France’s international ministry additionally condemned the “despicable” assault. France “expresses its full solidarity with the Syrian individuals, who hope that Syria will discover its manner again to peace,” the ministry mentioned in an announcement.

Photographs circulated by the Syria Civil Defence confirmed the church’s inside space in ruins, with pews lined in particles and blood.