Authorities have connected a suicide bomber who destroyed the tranquility of a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, to ISIS. The bomber killed at least 19 people and injured dozens more. The assailant first started shooting at worshippers before setting off an explosive vest. There were 19–22 fatalities and at least 53 injuries. Witnesses reported seeing the attacker leave the scene with two accomplices, suggesting that he was not very skilled at the suicide part.
Terror Returns to Damascus
Syrian authorities are pointing to the Islamic State (ISIS) as responsible for Sunday’s devastating suicide bombing at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus. The attack at Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood marks the first major terrorist incident in the Syrian capital in years, raising alarming concerns about the potential resurgence of extremist groups in the region. The bomber’s tactics were particularly brutal, as reports indicate the attacker first opened fire on people who were praying inside the church before detonating an explosive vest.
Death toll reports have varied, with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirming at least 19 fatalities, while some sources have reported up to 22 people killed. The Syrian Health Ministry has stated that at least 53 others were wounded in the attack, many critically injured. The bombing has sent shockwaves through Syria’s Christian community, which has endured years of targeting during the country’s prolonged civil conflict. Sunday’s attack stands as a stark reminder that the threat of extremist violence remains present despite relative stability in government-controlled areas.
A suicide bomber just blew himself up at a Church in Syria. Dozens kiIIed and injured.
Syrian Interior Ministry says ISIS linked group is behind it. pic.twitter.com/lvzyePeEWG
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) June 22, 2025
Government Response and Security Concerns
Syrian Minister of Information Hamzah Almustafa immediately condemned the bombing, describing it as a “cowardly act” that violated the nation’s unity. Government officials have emphasized that this attack will not divide Syria’s diverse religious communities, which have coexisted for centuries. The Interior Ministry moved quickly to identify the attacker as an Islamic State extremist, though no group has immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. This attribution to ISIS suggests authorities are concerned about sleeper cells that may have remained dormant in recent years.
Security concerns have intensified following witness reports that the attacker may not have acted alone. Multiple eyewitnesses reported seeing the bomber with two accomplices who fled the scene, raising fears that additional attacks could be planned. Syrian security forces have reportedly launched a manhunt for these suspected accomplices and have increased security measures around other houses of worship in Damascus. The potential that organized terror cells are operating in the capital again represents a serious security challenge for Syrian authorities.
No group has claimed responsibility, but the Syrian interior ministry says the suicide bomber was a member of the so-called Islamic State group who opened fire on people before detonating his explosives vest. The death toll is expected to rise further. pic.twitter.com/xLneceQqTu
— DW News (@dwnews) June 22, 2025
Impact on Christian Communities
This attack has struck at the heart of Syria’s ancient Christian community. The Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church serves as an important religious and cultural center for Christians in Damascus, a city where Christian communities have existed since the earliest days of Christianity. Images from inside the church following the bombing revealed extensive damage to the historic building and scenes of despair among survivors. Blood-stained floors and damaged religious artifacts illustrate the violence that erupted in what should have been a sanctuary of peace.
Syria’s Christian population has declined dramatically since the beginning of the civil war in 2011, with many fleeing persecution by extremist groups. At one point, ISIS and other jihadist organizations systematically targeted churches and Christian communities across Syria and Iraq, destroying ancient places of worship and forcing Christians to convert, pay special taxes, or face execution. Sunday’s bombing has revived these painful memories for many Syrian Christians and may accelerate the exodus of remaining Christian families from the country.
International Reactions
International reaction to the church bombing has been swift, with religious and political leaders around the world condemning the attack. The Orthodox Church leadership has called for prayers for the victims while urging protection for remaining Christian communities in the Middle East. United Nations officials have described the targeting of worshippers as a particularly heinous act that may constitute a war crime under international law. The attack underscores the ongoing challenge of religious extremism in the region despite territorial defeats of ISIS in recent years.
This bombing comes at a time when Syria has been attempting to normalize relations with neighboring countries and has been seeking the lifting of international sanctions. The Assad government has presented itself as a bulwark against terrorism, often pointing to the threat posed by groups like ISIS to justify its actions during the civil war. This attack may complicate diplomatic efforts while reinforcing the government’s narrative about the continuing threat of extremism in the region.