Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has vowed to bring to justice all individuals responsible for Sunday's deadly attack on a church in Damascus that claimed 25 lives and left 63 others injured.
The attack, which targeted Saint Elias Church in the Dwelaa district of the Syrian capital, has been confirmed by authorities to be the work of assailants affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group.
"We promise that we will work night and day, mobilising all our specialised security agencies, to capture all those who participated in and planned this heinous crime and to bring them to justice," President al-Sharaa said in a statement on Monday.
The president described the incident as a "heinous crime" and called for national unity in the face of terror. "This crime reminds us of the importance of solidarity between government and people in confronting threats to our nation's security and stability," he added.
First Major Church Attack Since Civil War Began
This incident marks the first major terrorist assault targeting a church in Damascus since Syria's civil war began in 2011 and the first since Islamist-led forces ousted former President Bashar al-Assad in December.
Photos from the scene reveal the devastating aftermath, with shattered pews, debris scattered across the church floor, and rescuers attending to injured worshippers.
The Syrian health ministry confirmed the death toll and number of injured in what appears to be a calculated attack designed to inflame sectarian tensions in the already fragile nation.
This attack comes amid ongoing regional tensions, with recent reports of Israeli military strikes near Syria's presidential palace and continued conflicts involving various factions across the country.
BenriNews will continue to monitor developments in this situation as Syrian authorities pursue those responsible for this attack.
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