At least 20 people lost their lives and dozens more were injured after a suicide bomber targeted the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila area of Damascus, Syria’s capital, on Sunday, June 22, according to health officials and security sources. This marks the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Islamist-led rebels overthrew Bashar al-Assad in December. The Syrian interior ministry reported that the attacker, identified as an Islamic State member, entered the church, opened fire, and then detonated an explosive vest.

A security official, requesting anonymity, noted that two individuals were involved in the attack, with one of them carrying out the suicide bombing. Another official confirmed this was the first successful church attack by Islamic State in Damascus since Assad’s fall, although there had been several previous attempts. The blast also left 52 people wounded, according to Syria's state news agency citing the health ministry. A livestream shared by Syria’s civil defense group, the White Helmets, revealed scenes of devastation inside the church, with bloodstained floors, shattered benches, and damaged masonry. Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed leadership in January following Assad’s ouster, has pledged to safeguard minority groups.

Greece strongly condemned the attack. “We unequivocally denounce the vile terrorist suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus,” said the Greek foreign ministry, calling on Syrian transitional authorities to swiftly bring the perpetrators to justice and ensure the protection of Christian and other religious communities. Despite losing territorial control and years of counterterrorism operations against it, Islamic State continues to exploit security vulnerabilities. The group has a history of targeting religious minorities, including a deadly 2016 bombing of Shiite pilgrims in Sayeda Zainab during Assad’s rule.