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, but the Syrian interior ministry blamed it on ISIS.
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.

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