In a harrowing act of violence, a suspected ISIS suicide bomber struck the Mar Elias Church in the Dweil’a suburb of Damascus, Syria, during a crowded Sunday mass on June 22, 2025. The devastating explosion claimed the lives of at least 22 individuals and left more than 50 injured, shaking the local Christian community and drawing widespread condemnation from across the globe.
The attack, executed amidst a prayer service, saw the assailant shoot at worshippers before detonating an explosive vest within the church premises, according to Syrian Interior Ministry officials. A witness, Rawad, recounted the chilling moments to the Associated Press, "He was shooting at the church… he then went inside the church and blew himself up."
Photographs released by the Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, exposed the aftermath within the church: bloodied, splintered wooden pews and debris strewn across the floor. Reports highlighted the heartbreaking detail that children were among those who perished in this heinous act of terror.
This incident marks the first major suicide attack in Damascus since the December 2024 overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's government, raising immediate concerns about security during the country's transitional phase. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa strongly condemned the attack, vowing to dismantle the terrorist cells within Syria. Similarly, Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mostafa assured Al Jazeera of the state's commitment to protecting society from such threats.
International entities swiftly vocalized their denunciations. The United Nations envoy Geir Pedersen described the bombing as a "heinous crime" and called for a thorough investigation. France, Turkey, and other nations echoed these sentiments, underlining the attack's barbarity.
As the news of the tragedy spread through social media, tweets from platforms like Libs of TikTok and the White Helmets conveyed the horror and the urgency of the response efforts. The Islamic State organization, while suspected, had not claimed responsibility for the attack at the time of publication.
Rev. Johnnie Moore, a visiting fellow at Johns Hopkins University, shared his thoughts online, emphasizing the importance of Christians in Syria's future and labeling the attack as one against all Syrians.
As investigations continue, with Syrian security forces seeking two more suspects involved in the planning or execution of the attack, the world watches, hoping for justice and peace in a nation long scarred by conflict.
