The Islamic State is believed to be behind a deadly suicide bombing that happened at a Greek Orthodox church in Syria on Sunday. 

At least 22 individuals lost their lives, and 63 others sustained injuries during the attack at the Mar Elias Church in Dweil’a, situated on the outskirts of Damascus. The incident reportedly began while people were engaged in prayer. The assailant initially opened fire on the congregants before detonating himself.

Although no group immediately took responsibility for the attack, Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba pointed to ISIS as a probable suspect following a preliminary investigation.

“The security of places of worship is a red line,” Al-Baba stated, criticizing ISIS and the remnants of the former government of Ba’athist dictator Bashar al-Assad as elements attempting to destabilize Syria.

A Civil Defence worker inspects damage inside the Mar Elias church in Dweil’a on June 22, 2025. (SANA via AP)

The attack drew international condemnation. “These terrible acts of cowardice have no place in the new tapestry of integrated tolerance and inclusion that Syrians are weaving,” U.S. Ambassador to Turkey and Special Envoy for Syria Tom Barrack wrote on X. 

“We continue to support the Syrian government as it fights against those who are seeking to create instability and fear in their country and the broader region,” the post concluded.

People gather outside the Mar Elias church in Dweil’a following the suicide bombing on June 22, 2025. (BAKR ALKASEM/AFP via Getty Images)

The attack comes amid a time of heightened political unrest in the notoriously volatile Middle East – less than 24 hours after the U.S. launched airstrikes on three of Iran’s top nuclear facilities. 

Israel launched a series of similar attacks, including attacks on the Iranian capital, Tehran, in the weeks prior.