At least 15 people were killed when a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest inside the Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria on Saturday, marking the first suicide bombing in the capital since President Bashar al-Assad's fall to an Islamist-led insurgency last December.
Syria's Interior Ministry confirmed in a statement that the attacker was a member of the Islamic State (ISIS). According to officials, the assailant opened fire inside the church before triggering the explosion, killing worshippers and leaving numerous others injured in the Dweila neighbourhood.
Attack Details Emerge
A security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, revealed that two men were believed to be involved in the attack, though only one detonated explosives. The fate of the second suspect remains unclear as investigations continue.
Footage from Syria's civil defence group, the White Helmets, showed devastating scenes inside the historic church: shattered pews, blood-smeared floors, and large chunks of debris scattered throughout the sanctuary.
This attack represents a significant escalation in violence in Damascus, which had experienced relative stability in recent months despite ongoing tensions in other parts of the country.
Regional Context
The bombing occurs amid a complex regional situation, with recent Israeli strikes on Syrian cities and ongoing efforts to integrate Kurdish forces into Syria's military structure. The targeting of a Christian place of worship raises concerns about renewed sectarian violence in the war-torn nation.
ISIS, though territorially defeated in Syria and Iraq years ago, has continued to maintain sleeper cells capable of carrying out deadly attacks throughout the region.
International reaction to the bombing has been swift, with many nations condemning the attack on civilians and religious worshippers.
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