Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 20, Injures 52; ISIS blamed

At least 20 people were killed and 52 injured on Sunday, June 22, 2025, after a suicide bomber attacked Saint Elias Church in Damascus, Syria. Authorities have swiftly blamed the Islamic State (IS) group for the devastating assault.

Eyewitnesses reported that the attacker entered the church, which was filled with worshippers including children and the elderly, opened fire, and then detonated an explosive belt.

This act unleashed chaos, destruction, and bloodshed within the sacred space.

This tragic event marks the first church attack in Damascus since the Syrian civil war began in 2011. It is also the first major terrorist incident in the capital since Islamist-led forces overthrew former president Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, leading to the establishment of a new transitional government under President Ahmed al-Sharaa in January 2025.

Witnesses described horrific scenes: shattered pews, fallen religious icons, pools of blood, and people screaming in terror. Families are reportedly still searching for missing loved ones in the aftermath of the blast.

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The attack has drawn widespread international condemnation:

• The United Nations and France condemned it as a “heinous” and “abject” crime.
• The U.S. and Jordan pledged support for Syria’s fight against terrorism.
• Syria’s new government described the attack as a desperate attempt to destabilize national unity and peaceful coexistence.

Syria’s Interior Minister, Anas Khattab, announced that an investigation has begun and vowed that such attacks will not derail efforts toward achieving national peace.

Officials warned that despite its territorial “caliphate” being defeated in 2019, IS remains a significant threat.

IS fighters continue to operate in parts of Syria, particularly in desert areas, and are believed to be actively planning more targeted attacks.

Reports indicate that while ISIS attacks have decreased since the fall of the Assad regime, the group continues to launch low-level insurgent activities, aiming for a resurgence amidst the ongoing instability.