Deadly Attack on Church in Syria: 22 Killed in Suicide Bombing

In a tragic incident on June 23, 2025, at least 22 individuals were killed and 63 others injured when a suicide bomber opened fire inside a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria. This attack, which marks the first such occurrence since the fall of President Bashar al-Assad's regime, has been attributed to the Islamic State (IS) by government officials.

According to eyewitness accounts, the assailant, whose face was obscured, began shooting indiscriminately as worshippers were gathered for prayer. Reports indicate that the perpetrator detonated an explosive vest as crowds attempted to subdue him, resulting in mass casualties. The church was reportedly filled with approximately 350 worshippers at the time of the attack, intensifying the tragedy of the situation.

Hamza Mostafa, Syria's information minister, condemned the attack in a statement on social media platform X, emphasizing that this "cowardly act goes against the civic values that bring us together as a society." Mostafa reaffirmed the government's commitment to combatting terrorism in all its forms, stating, "We will not back down from our commitment to equal citizenship and we also affirm the state's pledge to exert all its efforts to combat criminal organisations."

Security sources indicated that there may have been a second assailant involved, with a priest at the scene confirming the presence of another gunman at the entrance of the church. The attack has raised concerns about the increasing boldness of IS in Syria following the fall of Assad's regime, as they have been suspected of attempting several attacks on Christian places of worship since December 2024.

The Greek foreign ministry responded strongly, condemning the attack and calling on the Syrian government to ensure the safety of Christian communities within the country. The ministry's statement emphasized the need for new protective measures to safeguard these communities from further violence.

The attack has drawn condemnation from various international entities, with experts warning that such acts of violence could exacerbate sectarian tensions in a country already ravaged by a decade-long civil war. Dr. Faisal Al-Masri, an expert in Middle Eastern studies at the University of California, Los Angeles, stated, "This incident reflects an alarming resurgence of extremist violence in Syria, particularly against vulnerable minority communities."

The international community is closely monitoring the situation, with analysts suggesting that this attack may indicate a shift in IS strategy as they target religious sites to instigate fear and unrest among the populace. It highlights the ongoing instability in Syria and raises questions regarding the effectiveness of security measures in place to protect civilians during religious gatherings.

As the investigation continues, the implications of this attack extend beyond immediate security concerns, potentially impacting diplomatic relations and humanitarian efforts in the region. Observers note that the future of minority communities in Syria may be at further risk if such violence continues unchecked, underscoring the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to address the root causes of extremism in the region.