Suicide bomber targets St. Elias Church in eastern Damascus

A powerful explosion rocked the Dwelaa area east of the capital Damascus, after a suicide bomber carried out a horrific attack inside St. Elias Church for the Greek Orthodox during the evening prayer.

According to local and media sources, the suicide bomber opened fire on worshipers inside the church before detonating himself with an explosive belt, resulting in dozens of martyrs and wounded, including women and children.

Initial reports indicated more than 15 martyrs and about 25 wounded, while other sources mentioned over 10 martyrs and more than 20 injured.

In the aftermath of the explosion, there was an intensive security presence around the church, with security forces imposing a strict security cordon and closing off the entrances to the area as a precaution against possible additional risks.

Ambulance and firefighting teams rushed to the scene of the incident, transporting the injured to nearby hospitals for treatment.

This attack is rare in the Dwelaa neighborhood, which has experienced relative calm in recent years, amidst warnings of the resurgence of armed cells in the vicinity of the capital Damascus.

So far, Syrian official authorities have not issued a statement clarifying the details of the incident or revealing the party responsible for the attack, and no party has claimed responsibility for the attack yet.

The incident has left an atmosphere of terror and anxiety in the neighborhood and the capital in general, with calls to enhance security and protect places of worship from any future threats.