A jihadist suicide bomber attacked the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church on June 22, 2025, during Sunday mass in the Dweila suburb of Damascus, killing at least 20–22 worshippers and wounding dozens more.
The attacker, affiliated with ISIS, reportedly entered the crowded church while clad in black, opening fire before detonating his explosives near the entrance. Witnesses say congregants attempted to subdue him before the deadly explosion occurred. Syrian authorities acknowledged a possible second gunman and issued condemnations, warning that extremist sleeper cells remain active.
State media described the act as a “cowardly” assault on a place of worship. Syrian Interior Minister Noureddine Al‑Baba and Information Minister Hamza Mostafa affirmed it violated the sanctity of religious freedom and pledged stronger protections for Christians. Syrian civil defense teams (White Helmets) worked to evacuate the wounded among approximately 350 attendees present during the service.
This marks the first major church bombing in Damascus since the Assad regime’s fall in December, underscoring an unsettling resurgence of extremist violence amid instability.
