A devastating suicide bomb attack rocked the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus on Sunday, killing and injuring multiple worshippers and leaving the historic site in ruins.
According to Syria’s Interior Ministry, the attack was carried out by a member of the Islamic State group, reigniting fears of a renewed wave of extremist violence targeting religious minorities.
Graphic footage from the White Helmets civil defence livestream showed the church’s interior soaked in blood, with shattered pews, crumbled masonry, and debris strewn across the floor.
Civil defence members were seen combing through the wreckage in search of survivors.
“It was a scene of utter horror — blood on the altar, pews torn apart, and terrified families running for their lives,” said one civil defence volunteer.
A security source, who requested anonymity, said two men were involved in the bombing, including the suicide attacker.
Details of the second suspect’s identity or whereabouts remain unclear.
State media outlet SANA released harrowing images of the aftermath, including bloodied wooden benches and a destroyed altar — once a symbol of peace, now a scene of carnage.
The attack has sparked widespread condemnation from the international community.
France’s Foreign Ministry slammed the bombing as an “abject, terrorist” act, while Greece called it “abhorrent” and demanded swift justice.
“We demand that the Syrian transitional authorities take immediate action to hold those involved accountable and implement measures to guarantee the safety of Christian communities and all religious groups,” the Greek Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed office in January after leading the military offensive that ousted Bashar al-Assad, has repeatedly pledged to protect religious minorities.
Sunday’s bombing is now seen as a major test of that promise.
“We will not allow extremists to drag Syria back into the dark days of sectarian violence,” a government spokesperson said.
Al-Sharaa’s administration is facing mounting pressure to enhance security for Christian communities and minority groups, many of whom remain vulnerable after years of civil war and instability.
The Islamic State group has a notorious history of targeting religious minorities in Syria.
One of its most brutal attacks occurred in 2016, when dozens of Shiite pilgrims were killed in Sayeda Zainab — an atrocity that shocked the region.
Sunday’s bombing marks the first major church attack in Damascus since the fall of the caliphate — a chilling sign that extremist cells remain active.
With no group formally claiming responsibility yet, investigations are ongoing, and security across Damascus has been visibly heightened.
The transitional government has vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The UN Security Council is reportedly monitoring the situation closely, while humanitarian groups have called for increased protection of religious sites.
