Mar Ilyas Church Attack (2025)

On 22 June 2025, a suicide attack was carried out against the Mar Ilyas Church in the Duveyla district of Damascus. It was reported that a religious service was taking place inside the church at the time of the explosion, with many people present. As a result of the attack, at least 20 people lost their lives and 52 were injured. The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced that the attack was carried out by an individual affiliated with the terrorist organization DAESH.

Course of the Explosion

The attack occurred during a Sunday evening service at the Mar Ilyas Church in the Duveyla neighborhood, located east of Damascus. It was reported that an armed attacker entered the church while congregants were praying, opened fire, and then detonated the explosive vest he was wearing. Numerous people lost their lives at the scene, and significant physical damage was inflicted on the church structure. The seating rows inside the church were shattered and walls collapsed. The attack rendered the church unusable.

Statements Regarding the Attack

Statements by the Syrian Ministry of Health and Ministry of Interior

The Syrian Ministry of Health initially reported that 20 people were killed and 52 injured as a result of the attack. The Ministry of Interior stated that the explosion was carried out by a suicide bomber affiliated with DAESH. It was indicated that the attacker fired at civilians inside the church before detonating his vest. Ministry spokesperson Nureddin Baba stated that the attack targeted not only a specific religious group but the entire Syrian population, and that security forces would use all available means to identify and apprehend the perpetrators.

International and Local Reactions

UN Special Representative for Syria Geir O. Pedersen condemned the attack in the strongest terms and called for the perpetrators to be brought to justice. U.S. Special Representative for Syria and Ambassador to Ankara Tom Barrack stated that the attack was contrary to the efforts of Syrians to build an inclusive and tolerant society, and affirmed U.S. support for the Syrian government. The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the attack as “cowardly” and emphasized that France strongly condemns such acts of violence. The statement underscored France’s support for the Syrian people’s efforts to achieve peace and its continued commitment to international initiatives aimed at restoring stability in Syria.

Statements from Türkiye

In a statement issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye, it was stated that the attack targeted Syria’s stability and security, and Türkiye’s full confidence in the unity and solidarity of the Syrian people was reaffirmed. Presidential Advisor on Foreign Policy and Security Akif Çağatay Kılıç, AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, and Deputy Chairperson Efkan Ala also issued statements condemning the attack and affirmed their support for Syria’s sovereignty.

Witness Testimonies

Witnesses near the church at the time of the attack reported that the attacker arrived with two other individuals, two of whom fled the scene, while the attacker proceeded directly into the church and opened fire on those inside. Immediate chaos erupted around the church after the attack, with many people fleeing the area while others attempted to assist the wounded. After hours of search and rescue operations by Civil Defense teams in the church rubble, bodies were recovered and numerous injured were transported to hospitals.

Security Measures and Investigation Following the Attack

In the aftermath of the explosion, Syrian security forces implemented extensive security measures at the site. The area surrounding the church was fully cordoned off, and bomb disposal units conducted searches for the possibility of a second explosive device. Investigation teams collected evidence from the rubble, and temporary restrictions were imposed on entry and exit to the church. The Ministry of Interior announced the launch of a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend individuals suspected of involvement in the attack. Initial reports on the explosion indicated that the incident was a planned and organized attack, with the attacker having arrived armed in the area and using a suicide vest.

The Syrian Ministry of Interior stated that targeting places of worship was part of a broader strategy aimed at threatening the country’s religious and sectarian fabric. The statement emphasized that the attack was not directed solely at the Christian community but at all segments of Syrian society. The same statement affirmed that the state regards the security of places of worship as a “red line,” and that such acts are intended to undermine state authority and disrupt social peace.