Latest news with #Dweil'a
Yahoo
2 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Syria Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 20, Injures Dozens More During Church Attack: 'Cowardly Act'
At least 20 people were killed after a suicide bomber opened fire and detonated explosives inside a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday, June 22 At least 53 others, reportedly including children, were injured in the attack "This cowardly act goes against the civic values that bring us together," Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa wrote on social media, calling the incident a terrorist attackA suicide bomber attacked a church in Syria, killing at least 20 people, including several children, and injuring more than 50 others. According to Reuters, the Associated Press and Al Jazeera, Syrian state media reported that an attacker opened fire inside a busy Greek Orthodox church in Dweil'a — located in the outskirts of Damascus — before detonating an explosive vest on Sunday, June 22. Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the country's Health Ministry said at least 20 people were dead and 53 others were wounded inside Mar Elias Church, per the outlets. Local media outlets also reported that children were among the dead. Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa condemned the bombing, calling it a terrorist attack, per AP. 'This cowardly act goes against the civic values that bring us together,' he wrote on X. 'We will not 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.' No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing, per AP, but Syria's interior ministry has said that the suicide bomber was a member of the Islamic State (sometimes known as ISIL or ISIS). Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. According to Reuters and AP, the attack came amid statements from interim Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa that he will act to protect minority groups in the country, after former President Bashar al-Assad's government was overthrown in December 2024. One witness who spoke to AP and a Syrian security source who spoke to Reuters said that a second man was believed to have been involved in the attack. The Greek foreign ministry also condemned the attack, telling Reuters in a statement: "We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent terrorist suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria." "We demand that the Syrian transitional authorities take immediate action to hold those involved accountable and implement measures to guarantee the safety of Christian communities and all religious groups, allowing them to live without fear," the statement continued. Witnesses who spoke to AP said the gunman entered the church during mass with his face covered and first began firing a gun. People inside the church charged at the shooter to try and force him outside, and he then detonated his explosives near the entrance of the building. "People were praying safely under the eyes of God," Father Fadi Ghattas told the AP, adding that he saw at least 20 people killed. "There were 350 people praying at the church." Photographs taken in the aftermath of the attack show emergency personnel with the Syrian Civil Defense — whose emergency teams are widely known as the White Helmets, according to the BBC — helping the injured into ambulances. A bystander named Issam Nasr, who was praying at the church, told the outlet that he saw people "blown to bits." "We have never held a knife in our lives. All we ever carried were our prayers," he said. Read the original article on People
Al Jazeera
3 hours ago
- Politics
- Al Jazeera
At least 20 killed in Damascus church bombing attack, dozens wounded
A suicide bomber in Syria has carried out an attack inside a church filled with people, killing at least 20 people and wounding dozens more, according to the Syria's Ministry of Health and security officials. The explosion in Dweil'a on the outskirts of Damascus took place as people were praying during mass inside the Mar Elias Church on Sunday. No group immediately claimed responsibility, but the Syrian Interior Ministry said a fighter from the ISIL (ISIS) group entered the church and fired at the people there before detonating himself with an explosives vest, echoing some witness testimonies. The death toll reported was a preliminary one. 'Rescue teams from the Syria Civil Defence continue to recover bodies from the scene,' a statement on Telegram said on Sunday. Official state agency SANA, citing the Health Ministry, said that at least 50 others were wounded. Some local media reported that children were among the casualties. The attack was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as the fledgling interim government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa is trying to win the support of minorities. As al-Sharaa struggles to exert authority across Syria, there have been concerns about the presence of sleeper cells of groups like ISIL (ISIS) in the country recovering from nearly 14 years of devastating civil war that killed hundreds of thousands and displaced millions. Syria has made significant inroads back into the international fold since al-Sharaa became president in January 2025, with both the United States and the European Union lifting sanctions from the era of ousted President Bashar al-Assad. 'He was shooting at the church' A witness who identified himself as Rawad told The Associated Press that 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. Security forces and first responders rushed to the scene. Panicked survivors wailed, as one woman fell to her knees and burst into tears. Syrian Information Minister Hamza al-Mostafa condemned the blast, calling it a 'terrorist' attack. 'This cowardly act goes against the civic values that bring us together,' he said in a post on X. 'We will not back down from our commitment to equal citizenship … and we also affirm the state's pledge to exert all its efforts to combat criminal organisations and to protect society from all attacks threatening its safety.' The United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen condemned 'in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack at St. Elias Church' and expressed 'his outrage at this heinous crime.' His statement also noted 'that the Syrian interim authorities have attributed this attack to ISIL and (he) calls for a full investigation and action by the authorities.' Turkiye's foreign ministry said the 'treacherous' attack aimed to disrupt efforts to achieve stability and security in Syria. France's foreign ministry also condemned the 'despicable' attack. France 'expresses its full solidarity with the Syrian people, who hope that Syria will find its way back to peace,' the ministry said in a statement. Photos circulated by the Syria Civil Defence showed the church's interior area in ruins, with pews covered in debris and blood.
CTV News
3 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Death toll in Syria church bombing attack rises to 22
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, journalists and Civil Defence workers inspect the damage inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweil'a in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday June 22, 2025. (SANA via AP) DAMASCUS, Syria — A suicide bomber in Syria opened fire then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church filled with people praying on Sunday, killing at least 22 and wounding 63 others, state media reported. The attack took place in Dweil'a on the outskirts of Damascus inside the Mar Elias Church, according to state media SANA, citing the Health Ministry for the toll of dead and wounded. Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there were at least 19 peopled killed and dozens wounded, but did not give exact numbers. Some local media reported that children were among the casualties. The attack on the church was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under its de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of minorities. As President Ahmad al-Sharaa struggles to exert authority across the country, there have been concerns about the presence of sleeper cells of extremist groups in the war-torn country. No group immediately claimed responsibility Sunday. Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba said in a news conference that their preliminary investigation points to the extremist Islamic State group. The ministry said one gunmen entered the church, fired at the people there before detonating himself with an explosives vest, echoing some witness testimonies. 'The security of places of worship is a red line,' he said, adding that IS and remaining members of the ousted Assad government are trying to destabilize Syria. 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 on X. 'We will not 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.' Witnesses said the gunman with his face covered entered and fired at the people. When a crowd charged at him to remove him from the church, he detonated his explosives at the entrance. Syria's Social Affairs and Labor Minister Hind Kabawat, the country's Christian and female minister, met with the clergy at the church in the evening to express her condolences. 'People were praying safely under the eyes of God,' said Father Fadi Ghattas, who said he saw at least 20 people killed with his own eyes. 'There were 350 people praying at the church.' However, Meletius Shahati, a church priest, said there was a second gunman who shot at the church door before the other person detonated himself. Issam Nasr who was praying at the church said he saw people 'blown to bits.' 'We have never held a knife in our lives. All we ever carried were our prayers,' he said. Security forces and first-responders rushed to the church. Panicked survivors wailed, as one lady fell to her knees and burst into tears. A photo circulated by Syrian state media SANA showed the church's pews covered in debris and blood. Abdulrahman Shaheen and Kareem Chehayeb, The Associated Press Chehayeb reported from Beirut
National Post
3 hours ago
- Politics
- National Post
At least 20 killed in suicide bomber attack during service at Syrian Greek Orthodox church
A suicide bomber in Syria opened fire then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church filled with people praying on Sunday, killing at least 20 and wounding 52 others, state media reported. Article content The attack took place in Dweil'a on the outskirts of Damascus inside the Mar Elias Church, according to state media SANA, citing the Health Ministry for the toll of dead and wounded. Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there were at least 19 people killed and dozens wounded, but did not give exact numbers. Some local media reported that children were among the casualties. Article content The attack on the church was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus, under its de facto Islamist rule, is trying to win the support of minorities. As President Ahmad al-Sharaa struggles to exert authority across the country, there have been concerns about the presence of sleeper cells of extremist groups in the war-torn country. Article content Article content Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa condemned the attack, calling it a terrorist attack. Article content 'This cowardly act goes against the civic values that brings us together,' he said on X. 'We will not 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.' Article content Witnesses said the gunman, with his face covered, entered and fired at the people. When a crowd charged at him to remove him from the church, he detonated his explosives at the entrance. Article content 'People were praying safely under the eyes of God,' said Father Fadi Ghattas, who said he saw at least 20 people killed with his own eyes. 'There were 350 people praying at the church.' Article content However, Meletius Shahati, a church priest, said there was a second gunman who shot at the church door before the other person detonated himself. Article content Issam Nasr, who was praying at the church,h said he saw people 'blown to bits.' Article content 'We have never held a knife in our lives. All we ever carried were our prayers,' he said. Article content
CTV News
4 hours ago
- Politics
- CTV News
Suicide bomber kills at least 20 in Greek Orthodox church in Syria during Divine Liturgy
In this photo released by the Syrian official news agency SANA, journalists and Civil Defence workers inspect the damage inside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweil'a in the outskirts of Damascus, Syria, Sunday June 22, 2025. (SANA via AP) DAMASCUS, Syria — A suicide bomber in Syria opened fire then detonated an explosive vest inside a Greek Orthodox church filled with people praying on Sunday, killing at least 20 and wounding 52 others, state media reported. The attack took place in Dweil'a on the outskirts of Damascus inside the Mar Elias Church, according to state media SANA, citing the Health Ministry for the toll of dead and wounded. Britain-based war monitor the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said there were at least 19 peopled killed and dozens of others wounded, but did not give exact numbers. Some local media reported that children were among the casualties. The attack on the church was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under its de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of minorities. As President Ahmad al-Sharaa struggles to exert authority across the country, there have been concerns about the presence of sleeper cells of extremist groups in the war-torn country. 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. 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 on X. 'We will not 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.' Witnesses said the gunman with his face covered entered and fired at the people. When a crowd charged at him to remove him from the church, he detonated his explosives at the entrance. 'People were praying safely under the eyes of God,' said Father Fadi Ghattas, who said he saw at least 20 people killed with his own eyes. 'There were 350 people praying at the church.' However, Meletius Shahati, a church priest, said there was a second gunman who shot at the church door before the other person detonated himself. Issam Nasr who was praying at the church said he saw people 'blown to bits.' 'We have never held a knife in our lives. All we ever carried were our prayers,' he said. Security forces and first-responders rushed to the church. Panicked survivors wailed, as one lady fell to her knees and burst into tears. A photo circulated by Syrian state media SANA showed the church's pews covered in debris and blood. Abdulrahman Shaheen and Kareem Chehayeb, The Associated Press Chehayeb reported from Beirut
