ISIS Suicide Bombing at Damascus Church Kills 25 in First Major Attack Since Assad’s Fall

Damaged artwork inside the Mar Elias Church in Syria following a suspected suicide bombing that has killed over 20 people - Ali Haj Suleiman/Getty Images Europe

A suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila district of Damascus on Sunday claimed the lives of at least 25 people, according to Syria’s health ministry. The Islamic State (ISIS) has claimed responsibility for the attack, marking the deadliest bombing in the capital since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December.

The attack struck during church services, detonating inside the building and causing widespread destruction. It is the latest indication that ISIS, though weakened, remains a persistent and deadly threat in Syria. Authorities say the bombing follows months of failed attempts by ISIS to target Christian communities and disrupt Syria's fragile post-Assad transition.

The assault on Mar Elias Church is part of a broader ISIS strategy rooted in sectarian violence. The group has long viewed Christians and other non-Sunni religious minorities as enemies, echoing similar attacks during its campaigns in Iraq. By targeting Christians, ISIS aims to provoke religious conflict and undermine the legitimacy of Syria’s transitional government led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

For the past seven months, the new administration in Damascus has stymied repeated ISIS plots. The bombing on Sunday, however, represents a serious breach in the country’s security, despite government efforts to rebuild national intelligence and counterterrorism capabilities following the disbandment of Assad-era security agencies.

The death toll from a suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of Damascus on Sunday has risen to 25

President al-Sharaa’s government has emphasized cooperation with international partners, especially the United States, in counter-ISIS operations. American forces, including CENTCOM and special operations units, have been involved in joint missions with Syrian Free Army units targeting ISIS hideouts, particularly in the desert regions where militants regrouped after their territorial defeat.

Despite targeted strikes and the elimination of several top ISIS figures, remnants of the group continue to adapt and exploit security gaps. Syria’s General Security Service warned that ISIS remains the country’s most formidable security challenge, with multiple attacks thwarted in recent months.

The bombing comes as a sobering reminder of the risks still facing Syria’s Christian minority and the broader population amid ongoing regional instability. It also underlines the continued need for vigilance against extremist threats, even as international attention shifts to broader geopolitical conflicts in the Middle East.

Officials have not identified the bomber but confirmed the device was detonated inside the church. In addition to the fatalities, dozens were injured, with hospitals in Damascus overwhelmed by the scale of the blast. Emergency responders and church volunteers worked through the night to secure the area and care for survivors.

Sunday’s bombing is the first suicide attack in Damascus since the Islamist-led insurgency toppled Assad, raising alarms over a possible resurgence of ISIS activity in urban centers.