By: Chioma Madonna Ndukwu
A suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila district of Damascus resulted in the deaths of at least 15 people, according to security officials. The attack occurred during a religious service on Sunday and is the first suicide bombing reported in the capital since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad last December.
Syria’s Interior Ministry identified the attacker as a member of the Islamic State (ISIS). The ministry stated that the assailant entered the church, opened fire on worshippers, and then detonated an explosive vest, causing multiple casualties and injuries.
A security source, who requested anonymity, said authorities believe two individuals were involved in planning the attack. Only one detonated his device; the second suspect’s whereabouts are currently unknown.
Visuals released by the White Helmets, a civil defense organization in Syria, displayed the aftermath inside the church—destroyed furniture, blood-stained floors, and scattered debris. The incident has drawn widespread condemnation and heightened concerns over ongoing security threats in the city.
