Syria says Daesh behind church attack, at least 15 dead
It is the first attack of its kind in the Syrian capital since forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar Al-Assad in December, as security remains one of the greatest challenges for the country's new authorities.
The correspondents at the scene saw first responders transporting people from the site, with destruction at the church including shattered wood from fittings and pews, icons strewn on the ground and pools of blood.
The interior ministry said in a statement that "a suicide attacker affiliated with the terrorist organisation Daesh entered the Saint Elias church in the Dwelaa area of the capital Damascus where he opened fire then blew himself up with an explosive belt".
Syrian civil defence said in a statement that the attack killed "more than 15 people and a number of wounded, according to a preliminary toll".
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Dubai Eye
28 minutes ago
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UAE condemns attack on church in Damascus
The UAE on Sunday condemned the bombing at Mar Elias Church in Damascus, which killed nearly two dozen people. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said stressed the UAE's permanent rejection of all forms of violence and terrorism aimed at undermining security and stability. The Gulf state also expressed its sincere condolences and sympathy with the families of the victims, and with the government and people of Syria over this terrorist crime, as well as its wishes for a speedy recovery for all the injured. At least 22 people were killed and 63 others were injured when an attacker opened fire at the church during a Sunday evening service, and detonated an explosive attached to himself when worshipers attempted to tackle him, according to a witness. Photos and video from inside the church showed a heavily damaged altar, pews covered in broken glass and blood spattered across the walls. No group has so far claimed responsibility for the incident. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch said in a statement: "The treacherous hand of evil struck this evening, claiming our lives, along with the lives of our loved ones who fell today as martyrs during the evening divine liturgy." It was the first such attack in the capital since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December.
Gulf Today
5 hours ago
- Gulf Today
Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills at least 15
At least 15 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of Syria's capital Damascus on Sunday, security sources said. Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights says there were 30 people wounded and killed, but did not give exact numbers. Some local media reported that children were among the casualties. The incident marks the first suicide bombing inside Damascus since Bashar Al Assad was toppled in December. No group immediately claimed responsibility Sunday, but the Syrian Interior Ministry said an extremist from the Islamic State group entered the church, fired at the people there before detonating himself with an explosives vest, echoing some witness testimonies. A witness who identified himself as Rawad told The Associated Press he saw the attacker who was accompanied by two others who fled as he was driving near the church. "He was shooting at the church … he then went inside the church and blew himself up,' he said. Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa condemned the attack, calling it a terrorist attack. "This cowardly act goes against the civic values that brings us together,' he said in a post on X, formerly Twitter. "We will to back down from our commitment to equal citizenship … and we also affirm the state's pledge to exert all its efforts to combat criminal organizations and to protect society from all attacks threatening its safety.' A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up. Syria's state news agency cited the health ministry as putting the preliminary casualty toll at nine dead and 13 injured. A livestream from the site by Syria's civil defence, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction from within the church, including a bloodied floor and shattered church pews and masonry. Syrian President Ahmed Al Sharaa, who led the offensive against Assad before taking over in January for a transitional phase, has repeatedly said he will protect minorities during his tenure. Agencies
Sharjah 24
6 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Syria says Daesh behind church attack, at least 15 dead
It is the first attack of its kind in the Syrian capital since forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar Al-Assad in December, as security remains one of the greatest challenges for the country's new authorities. The correspondents at the scene saw first responders transporting people from the site, with destruction at the church including shattered wood from fittings and pews, icons strewn on the ground and pools of blood. The interior ministry said in a statement that "a suicide attacker affiliated with the terrorist organisation Daesh entered the Saint Elias church in the Dwelaa area of the capital Damascus where he opened fire then blew himself up with an explosive belt". Syrian civil defence said in a statement that the attack killed "more than 15 people and a number of wounded, according to a preliminary toll".
