The death toll has risen following a devastating terror attack at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elijah in Doueila, Syria. According to the latest count by authorities, the suicide bombing claimed at least 22 lives in Damascus, with responsibility attributed to a member of the extremist group ISIS. The United Nations and several countries, including the U.S., France, and Greece, have condemned the attack, which marks the first since forces led by radical Islamists overthrew former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8, 2024.
Security remains one of the most pressing challenges for the new Syrian authorities, who are urged by the international community to protect minorities and include them in the political transition process. Reports indicate that the attacker, identified as belonging to the terrorist organization Daesh (ISIS), stormed the St. Elijah Church in the Doueila neighborhood of Damascus, opening fire before detonating explosives strapped to his body.
Outside the church, Um George, visibly distraught, searched desperately for her child, who was inside during the attack. ‘My son prays here,’ she explained. ‘I’m trying to find him, but his phone is off, and I haven’t been able to locate him. I fear I may never hear his voice again.’
Witnesses described ambulances rushing injured worshippers away from the scene, where debris and icons lay scattered amid pools of blood. As per the latest health ministry report cited last night by the official SANA news agency, the attack left 22 dead and 63 injured. Eyewitness Lawrence Maamari recounted how an armed individual entered the church and began shooting indiscriminately. When congregants attempted to intervene, the assailant detonated his explosives.
Although ISIS’s self-proclaimed caliphate collapsed in Iraq in 2017 and in Syria in 2019, remnants of the group continue operating primarily out of the vast Syrian desert. In May, they claimed responsibility for the first assault against the new de facto Syrian authorities. Subsequently, security forces announced the arrest of an ISIS cell near Damascus allegedly planning further attacks. Another operation in Aleppo resulted in the death of a security officer and three ISIS members.