Syria: IS splinter group behind church bombing
Syria: IS splinter group behind church bombing (Image: AP)
On Tuesday, the Islamic State (IS) splinter group Saraya Ansar al-Sunna (Brigade of Sunni Supporters) claimed responsibility for the deadly Sunday bombing of a Greek Orthodox Church in the Syrian capital, Damascus.
The incident happened when a member of the group blew himself up at the doors of the Saint Elias Church in the Christian-Sunni Muslim neighborhood of al-Dweilaa during Sunday mass, killing 25 people and injuring another 63.
The group released a social media post claiming the attack was triggered by unspecified "provocations by Christians in Damascus."
In March, a dispute took place at the church when residents complained about Islamic chants being blasted from a car in front of the building.
The group is said to have been behind various sectarian threats and attacks targeting Alawites, Christians, Druze and Shiite Muslims. It is also accused of involvement in March massacres that rights groups say killed as many as 1,700 mostly Alawite civilians.
Islamists call government claims 'untrue, fabricated'
On Monday, Syria's new government claimed that IS had been behind the attack and announced that it had "dismantled" the cell responsible for it. Authorities said they seized explosives, suicide vests, mines and ammunition during raids that resulted in six arrests and two suspects being shot dead.
Syria's Interior Ministry said its investigation into the matter was ongoing and that all perpetrators would be brought to justice.
Saraya Ansar al-Sunna promptly took to the messaging app Telegram to reject the government's claim, calling it, "untrue, fabricated."
Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, which was formed after the fall of Syrian President Bashar Assad, warned, "What is coming will not give you respite… our soldiers...
are fully prepared."
Sunday's attack was the first in a Christian church since the start of Syria's civil war in 2011, according to the UK-based group Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which has also been targeted by the group.
Pope Leo XIV offers prayers for hope, healing and peace
Pope Leo XIV, the head of the Roman Catholic Church, expressed his deep sorrow over the incident on Tuesday. A statement issued by the Vatican called for peace in Syria.
Further, the statement said Leo was praying for those injured, as well as for the souls of those killed in the attack. Prayers were also offered to God that he provide hope and healing for the Syrian people.
Though 10% of Syria's population was once Christian, that number has dropped considerably as a result of war and persecution. Those Christians who remain tend to live in mixed communities in the major cities of Damascus and Aleppo
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