More than 20 dead after 'Islamic State suicide bombing' in Damascus church
A member of Islamic State opened fire on Sunday inside Mar Elias Church in the east of Damascus before blowing himself up, killing at least 22 people and injuring 63 others, Syria's interior ministry said. Eyewitnesses inside the church reported a second gunman who did not blow himself up, but also shot at the 150 or so worshippers present. The attack on Sunday night was the first major IS operation and the first suicide bombing in Syria since former Syrian president Bashar al-Assad was toppled in December and replaced by an Islamist-led government
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BBC News
21 minutes ago
- BBC News
Irish evacuees from Israel expected home in 'coming days'
A group of 15 Irish citizens and their dependants have been evacuated from Israel, the Irish government has said.Tánaiste (deputy Irish prime minister) Simon Harris said the Irish citizens left Israel on Sunday and are expected to arrive in Ireland in the coming were evacuated in an operation organised by Austria, one of Ireland's EU partners, Harris evacuation comes as Israel and Iran continue to trade missile strikes and the US launched an attack on Iranian nuclear sites. "Throughout this crisis, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassy in Tel Aviv have remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in the region," Harris added: "I would like to thank the government of Austria for the close cooperation which resulted in today's successful evacuation."I would also like to thank our consular response teams in Tel Aviv, Dublin and across the Middle East who continue to support Irish citizens in the region".Earlier, the tánaiste said that a "small number" of citizens also want to leave Iran, and work is under way to get them out Dublin government, Harris said, is urging Irish citizens in both Israel and Iran to "remain vigilant, to monitor developments and media, and to follow advice from the authorities, including when this is to shelter in place"."All citizens in the region should register with the nearest Irish Embassy, if they have not already done so," he said. 'Grave concern' Harris added: "Our embassies will remain in close contact with all citizens in Israel and Iran over the days and weeks ahead. Our wider political work on the developing situation also continues."The deputy prime minister said he had spoken on Sunday to Iran's deputy foreign minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi."I expressed grave concern at the developments overnight, strongly urged restraint and shared the view that it was not in the interests of the Iranian people or the Middle East as a region for hostilities to escalate," Harris said Ireland had a long-standing commitment to nuclear disarmament, adding that concerns about Iran's nuclear programme should be addressed through dialogue.
BreakingNews.ie
28 minutes ago
- BreakingNews.ie
Irish citizens evacuated from Iran
Three Irish citizens and their dependents have been safely evacuated from Iran after the US joined bombing raids on the country. It comes after the successful evacuation of 15 Irish citizens and their dependents from Israel on Sunday. Advertisement Tánaiste Simon Harris said the US attack was an 'extraordinarily dangerous escalation' in an already 'volatile' situation in the Middle East. He is to attend a meeting of EU foreign affairs ministers in Brussels on Monday, where the growing crisis in the Middle East will be discussed among other topics. I am pleased to confirm that three Irish 🇮🇪 citizens and their dependents have safely departed Iran overnight and are now en route home. I continue to urge all Irish citizens in Iran to register at so we can maintain contact with you. — Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) June 23, 2025 In a statement, Mr Harris said those who had left Iran will now 'travel home'. 'I want to extend our gratitude to our European friends and partners for their excellent support.' Advertisement He added: 'Throughout this crisis, the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and our Embassies have remained in regular contact with Irish citizens in the region.' Tensions in the Middle East boiled over 10 days ago when Israel launched strikes on Tehran, targeting the country's nuclear programme. Israel and Iran have been exchanging strikes with one another since, rekindling fears of a full-scale conflict. On Saturday the US weighed in, sending planes and submarines to attack Fordo, Isfahan and Natanz, which are linked to Iran's nuclear programme. Advertisement Tehran threatened to retaliate, while US President Donald Trump warned of further action if necessary. Statement by Taoiseach Micheál Martin on Middle East — Micheál Martin (@MichealMartinTD) June 22, 2025 Speaking ahead of the EU meeting on Monday, Mr Harris said there needed to be 'a diplomatic solution' to Iran's nuclear programme. The Tánaiste said that urgent de-escalation and diplomacy are 'crucial', and the EU 'has a role to play in charting a way forward'. He said he would also be calling for 'swift and concrete actions' in response to the EU's review of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Advertisement 'We must also maintain a strong focus on the situation in Gaza, which remains catastrophic,' he added. 'I call on Israel to lift its blockade on aid into Gaza. The situation in the West Bank also continues to be unacceptable. 'The EU can and must provide leadership on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, on the release of hostages, on preserving the two-State solution, and on efforts to support peace and stability in the Middle East.' We will have a Security College on Wednesday, focused on the escalating situation in the Middle East and its effects on Europe. — Ursula von der Leyen (@vonderleyen) June 22, 2025 EU ministers are expected to discuss the latest developments, the situation in Gaza and the West Bank, and the review of Israel's compliance with Article 2 of the EU-Israel Association Agreement. Advertisement Among the other topics to be discussed are the Russian invasion of Ukraine, EU engagement with China, and Georgia. Ukrainian foreign minister Andrii Sybiha will also attend the summit and provide an update. The discussion on China is expected to prepare for the upcoming EU-China Strategic Dialogue and EU-China Summit. Mr Harris added: 'I will be underlining the need to demonstrate our unity and collective backing for Ukraine in the face of Russia's ongoing aggression. 'Recent weeks have seen a significant escalation in brutal Russian air attacks on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities. These are not the action of a country interested in peace.' Those who have been evacuated were among 29 Irish citizens in Iran who had registered with the Irish embassy and around 200 in Israel.
The Independent
30 minutes ago
- The Independent
Iran launches missiles and drones at Israel in the wake of US strikes on its nuclear targets
Iran fired a salvo of missiles and drones on Monday at Israel while also warning the United States that its military has been given a 'free hand' to attack American targets in the wake of the Trump administration's massive strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. Israel said its defense systems were operating to intercept the threat, apparently targeting north and central areas, and told people to head to shelters. Iran described the attack a new wave of its Operation 'True Promise 3,' saying it was targeting the Israeli cities of Haifa and Tel Aviv, according to Iranian state television. There were no immediate reports of damage. The attack came the day after the United States inserted itself into Israel's war by attacking Iranian nuclear sites, prompting fears of a wider regional conflict. Iran said the U.S. had crossed 'a very big red line' with its risky gambit to strike the three sites with missiles and 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs. On Monday, Iranian Gen. Abdolrahim Mousavi, the chief of joint staff of armed forces, warned Washington its strikes had given Iranian forces a 'free hand ' to "act against U.S. interests and its army.' Mousavi described the American attack as violating Iran's sovereignty and being tantamount to invading the country, the state-run IRNA news agency reported. In the wake of the American attacks on Iran, calls came from across the globe for de-escalation and the return to diplomacy to try and resolve the conflict. On Monday, the European Union's top diplomat said the bloc remained 'very much focused on the diplomatic solution.' 'The concerns of retaliation and this war escalating are huge,' Kaja Kallas said at the start of a foreign ministers' meeting in Brussels where Iran has jumped to the top of the agenda. 'Especially closing of the Strait of Hormuz by Iran is something that would be extremely dangerous and not good for anybody,' Kallas said, referring to a maritime route crucial for oil transport. After Sunday's attacks, Iranian officials repeated their longtime threats of possibly closing the key shipping lane. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi was meeting on Monday in Moscow with Russian President Vladimir Putin, one of Iran's key allies.
