Syria raises Damascus church attack toll to 20 dead, 52 wounded

DAMASCUS: Syria’s health ministry said an attack on a church in Damascus on Sunday killed 20 people, state media reported, raising an earlier civil defence toll of 15 dead, AFP reported.

“The number of victims in the terrorist attack that targeted the Saint Elias church in the Dwelaa area of Damascus has risen to 20 dead and 52 wounded,” said a health ministry statement carried by state news agency SANA.

Earlier, security sources had said at least 15 people were killed when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of Syria’s capital.

The incident marks the first suicide bombing inside Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led rebel insurgency in December.

Syria’s interior ministry said the suicide bomber was a member of the Islamic State. He entered the church, opened fire and then detonated his explosive vest, the ministry added in a statement.

Read more: Islamic State reactivating fighters, eying comeback in Syria and Iraq

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.

Meanwhile, a livestream from the site by Syria’s civil defence, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction from within the church, including a bloodied floor and shattered church pews and masonry.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the offensive against Assad before taking over in January for a transitional phase, has repeatedly said he will protect minorities during his tenure.

PROBE AND ACTION DEMANDED

The United Nations special envoy for Syria voiced outrage at the deadly attack, calling for a full investigation and action by the authorities.

Geir Pedersen “condemns in the strongest possible terms the terrorist attack at St Elias Church”, and “expresses his outrage at this heinous crime”, said a statement from his office.