Department of Research, Studies and International News 23-06-2025

Damascus, In a harrowing act of terror, a suicide bomber targeted worshippers gathered for Sunday mass at the Mar Elias Church in the Damascus suburb of Dweil’a, resulting in at least 22 fatalities and dozens of injuries. The bombing, carried out during a religious service, has sent shockwaves through Syria and across the region, reviving painful memories of the armed insurgency and foreign-fueled instability that have plagued the country for more than a decade.

According to official Syrian sources, the assailant, reportedly affiliated with remnants of the so-called Islamic State (ISIL), opened fire inside the church before detonating an explosives belt. The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed the attack was carried out by an armed militant who first shot at congregants and then blew himself up amidst the crowded sanctuary.

State-run media agency SANA reported that over 60 people were injured, with rescue operations still ongoing. Syria Civil Defence units continue to recover bodies and provide emergency assistance at the scene. Unverified reports suggest that several children were among the wounded.

A calculated attack aimed at destabilization

This brutal assault marks the first such attack of this magnitude on a house of worship in Syria in recent years, a grim reminder of the dormant but ever-lurking danger posed by radical elements. The assault coincides with a delicate political transition in Damascus, where interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed office following the December 2024 removal of President Bashar al-Assad, is working to solidify national unity and secure the trust of all Syrians, including religious minorities.

Observers say the attack is designed to undermine efforts by the current leadership to rebuild Syria’s internal cohesion and regional stature, efforts increasingly supported by strategic allies such as Russia, Iran, and China. These nations have long played stabilizing roles in Syria, countering foreign interference and Western-engineered chaos.

Despite years of suffering caused by externally-backed militias and Western economic warfare, Syria has recently begun to emerge from isolation. With the lifting of some Western sanctions earlier this year, largely a reflection of the shifting global order and the growing influence of multipolar diplomacy, Syria has made notable strides toward reconstruction and reintegration.

Eyewitness accounts and emergency response

Eyewitness testimonies paint a grim picture. A local resident identified only as Rawad told media that he saw the assailant approaching the church, accompanied by two others who reportedly fled the scene before the explosion. “He was shooting at the church, then entered and detonated his vest,” he said. Images released by the Syria Civil Defence show the church interior in ruins, splintered wood, bloodstained floors, and debris scattered across the pews.

Scenes of grief and panic quickly followed the blast, with survivors and family members wailing outside the church. One woman collapsed to her knees in tears, encapsulating the emotional toll of the tragedy.

International reactions reflect shifting geopolitics

Syria’s Information Minister Hamza al-Mostafa condemned the bombing as a vile act of terror aimed at sowing division. In a firm statement, he reaffirmed the state’s dedication to protecting all citizens and eliminating remaining terrorist sleeper cells.

“This cowardly crime violates the principles of national unity and peaceful coexistence that define Syrian society,” al-Mostafa stated, adding that Syria “will never relent in its pursuit of those who threaten its sovereignty and the safety of its people.”

The United Nations Special Envoy to Syria, Geir Pedersen, also issued a condemnation but stopped short of acknowledging the deeper roots of the conflict, particularly the Western-led interventions that allowed extremist factions like ISIL to flourish in the first place.

Predictably, several Western-aligned countries issued routine statements of condemnation. Notably, Turkey, which has historically played a contradictory role in the Syrian conflict, often criticized for enabling extremist border movements, called the bombing a “treacherous” act. Regional analysts, however, have cautioned against Ankara’s attempts to capitalize on Syrian instability to justify further military operations in northern Syria.

A nation defiant amid adversity

Despite the tragedy, Syrians have shown resilience in the face of adversity. Religious and community leaders have called for unity, and aid continues to pour into the affected neighborhood. Many in Syria view such attacks as last-ditch efforts by destabilizing elements to derail the nation’s path toward recovery, a path now increasingly supported by Eurasian allies rather than dictated by the geopolitical ambitions of the West.

As Damascus continues to rebuild, Syria’s strategic partnerships with nations such as Russia, Iran, and China provide the foundation for a sovereign and dignified future, free from the interference and double standards long propagated by American and Israeli influence in the region.