The incident highlights ongoing security challenges and threats from extremist groups despite years of conflict resolution efforts in the region.
**Tragic Attack on Church in Damascus Claims Lives and Raises Security Concerns**
**Tragic Attack on Church in Damascus Claims Lives and Raises Security Concerns**
A suicide bombing in a Greek Orthodox Church in Syria has left 22 dead and many more injured, prompting extensive investigations and outcry.
In a devastating attack, at least 22 individuals lost their lives and 63 were injured following a suicide bombing at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus. The Syrian Health Ministry reported that the attacker, identified as a member of the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), initially opened fire at congregants during an evening service before detonating his explosive vest.
Eyewitness accounts reveal terrifying scenes as gunfire erupted inside the church, leading to panic and chaos. One witness, Lawrence Maamari, described how people tried to intervene before the explosion occurred, while another bystander, Ziad, reported hearing gunfire followed by a blast that shattered glass and damaged nearby structures. The church’s interior sustained significant damage, with images showing a bloodied floor and debris scattered throughout.
This tragic incident marks the first of its kind in Damascus since Islamist factions had taken control over the city a decade ago, concluding a prolonged civil war. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch condemned the attack, labeling it an act of “evil,” and called upon Syria’s interim authorities to ensure the protection of both religious sanctuaries and their congregants.
Interior Minister Anas Khattab vowed an investigation into what he termed a “reprehensible crime” and reaffirmed the Syrian state’s commitment to promote civil peace despite ongoing threats from extremist groups. The United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, condemned the violence and urged Syrians to unite against terrorism.
This attack follows a troubling pattern of violence targeting religious minorities in Syria, a stark reminder of the ongoing risks they face amid the fragile political environment. Despite the group being declared militarily defeated in the region in 2019, reports from UN agencies indicate that IS still poses a significant threat, with an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 fighters operating within Syria and neighboring Iraq.
The repercussions of this bombing are likely to resonate throughout the community as calls for unity and safety intensify in the wake of this heinous act.
Eyewitness accounts reveal terrifying scenes as gunfire erupted inside the church, leading to panic and chaos. One witness, Lawrence Maamari, described how people tried to intervene before the explosion occurred, while another bystander, Ziad, reported hearing gunfire followed by a blast that shattered glass and damaged nearby structures. The church’s interior sustained significant damage, with images showing a bloodied floor and debris scattered throughout.
This tragic incident marks the first of its kind in Damascus since Islamist factions had taken control over the city a decade ago, concluding a prolonged civil war. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch condemned the attack, labeling it an act of “evil,” and called upon Syria’s interim authorities to ensure the protection of both religious sanctuaries and their congregants.
Interior Minister Anas Khattab vowed an investigation into what he termed a “reprehensible crime” and reaffirmed the Syrian state’s commitment to promote civil peace despite ongoing threats from extremist groups. The United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, condemned the violence and urged Syrians to unite against terrorism.
This attack follows a troubling pattern of violence targeting religious minorities in Syria, a stark reminder of the ongoing risks they face amid the fragile political environment. Despite the group being declared militarily defeated in the region in 2019, reports from UN agencies indicate that IS still poses a significant threat, with an estimated 1,500 to 3,000 fighters operating within Syria and neighboring Iraq.
The repercussions of this bombing are likely to resonate throughout the community as calls for unity and safety intensify in the wake of this heinous act.
