Source: foxnews.com
Image content: The image shows the damaged interior of a church with shattered pews, fallen debris, and broken chandeliers. Many people are inside, inspecting the wreckage and helping each other beneath religious icons and a glowing cross at the front.
Summary
A suicide bombing during Sunday prayers at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church near Damascus killed more than 22 people and injured over 60, marking the deadliest church attack in Syria in years. Syrian authorities swiftly arrested suspects, alleging an Islamic State sleeper cell orchestrated the assault and had planned additional sectarian attacks, including on a Shiite shrine. Officials reported recovered explosives and a booby-trapped motorcycle, and witnesses described gunfire preceding the blast. The attack, which caused extensive damage and shocked Christian communities, unfolded amid heightened regional tensions and prompted condemnations and vows by Syrian leadership to intensify counterterrorism operations and protect minorities.
Key Points
- Suicide bombing at Mar Elias church killed at least 22–25 and injured 63.
- Syrian officials blame an ISIS-linked sleeper cell; arrests and weapons seizures reported.
- Witnesses cite gunfire and possibly a second assailant before detonation.
- Authorities say additional plots targeted minority religious sites, heightening sectarian fears.
- Attack occurs amid regional tensions, prompting vows to bolster security for Christians.