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The Islamic State is believed to be behind a deadly suicide bombing that happened at a Greek Orthodox church in Syria on Sunday.Â
At the Mar Elias Church in Dweil’a, situated on the outskirts of Damascus, a tragic attack unfolded resulting in the loss of at least 22 individuals and leaving 63 others wounded. The violent incident occurred during a prayer session, with the assailant initiating gunfire towards the worshipers and eventually detonating himself.
Although no specific group immediately claimed responsibility for the assault, Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba insinuated that ISIS could be behind the attack based on initial findings from the investigation.
Al-Baba strongly emphasized the sanctity of places of worship, condemning ISIS and the remnants of Bashar al-Assad’s former Ba’athist government for their roles in attempting to sow chaos in Syria.
A Civil Defence worker inspects damage inside the Mar Elias church in Dweil’a on June 22, 2025. (SANA via AP)
The attack drew international condemnation. “These terrible acts of cowardice have no place in the new tapestry of integrated tolerance and inclusion that Syrians are weaving,” U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack wrote on X.Â
“We continue to support the Syrian government as it fights against those who are seeking to create instability and fear in their country and the broader region,” the post concluded.
People gather outside the Mar Elias church in Dweil’a following the suicide bombing on June 22, 2025. (BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images)
The attack comes amid a time of heightened political unrest in the notoriously volatile Middle East – less than 24 hours after the U.S. launched airstrikes on three of Iran’s top nuclear facilities.Â
Israel launched a series of similar attacks, including attacks on the Iranian capital, Tehran, in the weeks prior.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
