Gunman opens fire during prayer
At least 22 people have died and over 60 more were injured after a suicide bomber launched a deadly assault on a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria. The attack happened during a Sunday service, with reports suggesting as many as 350 people were in the building at the time. Witnesses said the attacker entered the church with his face covered, opened fire, and detonated an explosive vest after being confronted by congregants.
Scene of devastation
The explosion caused severe damage inside the church, leaving bloodstained floors, splintered pews, and widespread panic. Video footage released by Syria’s civil defence, the White Helmets, shows emergency responders carrying out injured worshippers and sifting through debris.
Two attackers suspected
A security source told Reuters that two assailants were involved, with one priest claiming to have seen a second gunman near the entrance. The death toll includes women and children, with at least 63 others wounded.
Government blames Islamic State
Syrian officials have blamed the Islamic State (IS) for the bombing. The country’s information minister, Hamza Mostafa, condemned the attack, calling it “a cowardly act” that runs counter to Syria’s civic values. “We will not back down from our commitment to equal citizenship,” he wrote on social media.
Calls for protection of Christians
The Greek foreign ministry also condemned the bombing, calling it “abhorrent” and urging the Syrian authorities to implement new protections for Christian communities.
Tensions rise post-Assad
The attack is the most severe against Christian worshippers since the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime last December. Though other plots have reportedly been foiled, this marks the most devastating incident to date in the post-Assad period.
No official claim of responsibility had been issued at the time of publication.
