Suicide bomber targets Damascus church, kills at least 15 worshippers; Syria blames ISIS
Jun 22, 2025 11:29 PM IST
A suicide bomber in Syria on Sunday detonated himself inside a church, killing at least 15 people, AFP reported. People and rescuers inspect the damage at the site of a reported suicide attack at the Saint Elias church in Damascus' Dwelaa area on June 22, 2025.(AFP)
The explosion in Dweil'a in the outskirts of Damascus took place as people were praying inside the Mar Elias Church, according to the Associated Press.
Syria's interior ministry said a member of the Islamic State group was behind the attack.
"A suicide attacker affiliated with the Daesh (IS) terrorist group entered the Saint Elias church... opened fire, then blew himself up with an explosive belt," the country's interior ministry said in a statement.
The 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".
A witness told AFP outside the church that "someone entered from outside carrying a weapon" and began shooting, adding that people "tried to stop him before he blew himself up".
(More details are awaited) Get the latest headlines from US news and global updates from Pakistan, UK, Bangladesh, and Russia get all the latest headlines in one place with including Vance Luther Boelteron Hindustan Times.
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