Blood in the Church: ISIS Bombing Strikes the Heart of Syrian Coexistence

 

The Syrian Ministry of Health announced that the death toll from the bombing at Mar Elias Church in the Dweilaa district of Damascus has risen to 22 dead and 59 wounded.

The Ministry of Interior blamed ISIS for the attack, stating that an individual opened fire inside the church this evening before detonating himself, causing multiple casualties. The ministry confirmed it had deployed security forces and launched an investigation.

It also said that international envoys and diplomatic representatives were barred from visiting the site until the area is secured and evidence preserved. So far, ISIS has not claimed responsibility for the bombing.

Following the attack, several government officials visited the church, including the head of internal security in Damascus, the Minister of Social Affairs and Labor, and the Governor of Damascus. Condolences and condemnations poured in locally, regionally, and internationally.

The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs called the attack, which targeted Christians, a “desperate attempt to undermine national coexistence and destabilize the country,” blaming ISIS backers and urging the UN Security Council to support Syria’s anti-terror efforts.

U.S. Special Envoy to Syria, Tom Barak, posted on Twitter, calling the act cowardly and unworthy of Syria’s fabric of tolerance. He expressed support for the Syrian government in its fight against instability and fear, offering condolences on behalf of the American people and President to the victims' families.

A Ministry of Interior spokesperson stated that this was not the first time ISIS had targeted civilians with violent acts. The ministry had previously thwarted planned bombings at Sayyida Zeinab Shrine and Maaloula Church through precise and complex operations.

On December 11, the General Security Directorate foiled an attempt to bomb Sayyida Zeinab Shrine, with media reporting that U.S. intelligence aided in apprehending suspects.

On March 26, authorities uncovered explosive devices, suicide vests, weapons, and ammunition in a hideout belonging to an ISIS-affiliated terror cell in Western Ghouta.

This bombing comes six months after the fall of the Assad regime and the rise of the new government. It’s the first attack of its kind since then, amid Western security warnings of similar threats. ISIS has urged current government members to defect and fight Syrian President Ahmed Shar’a, accusing him of abandoning Islamic governance.

Moumin sawady