A quiet Sunday service at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus turned into a scene of horror after a suicide bomber attacked during mass, killing at least 20 people and injuring more than 50 others, according to Syria’s Ministry of Health.

A Devastating Attack During Worship

The bombing struck Mar Elias Church, one of the oldest Greek Orthodox churches in the Syrian capital, while it was filled with worshippers. According to Syria’s Interior Ministry, the attacker opened fire on the congregation before detonating an explosive vest inside the church.

Though no group has claimed responsibility, authorities say the attack was likely carried out by a suicide bomber affiliated with ISIS—a chilling reminder that extremist threats persist in a country still scarred by over a decade of conflict.

Harrowing Scenes and First Responder Efforts

Footage shared on Syrian social media showed the grim aftermath: shattered glass, broken pews, and blood covering the sanctuary floor. The White Helmets, Syria’s volunteer civil defense force, reported that emergency teams rushed to treat the wounded and recover the bodies.

“The treacherous hand of evil struck,” the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch said in a statement. The explosion happened right at the church entrance, it added, calling the victims “martyrs” and offering prayers for their families and for those injured.

Despite the tragedy, the church reaffirmed its resilience:

“We reject all fear and intimidation,” the Patriarchate wrote, “and remain unwavering in our faith.”

Outrage and Condemnation Around the World

The attack drew swift and widespread international condemnation.

The UN Special Envoy for Syria, Geir O. Pedersen, expressed “outrage” at what he described as a “heinous crime,” urging unity in rejecting terrorism and extremism in all forms.

The U.S. Special Envoy for Syria, Thomas Barrack, called the bombing an act of “cowardice,” saying it has “no place in the new tapestry of integrated tolerance and inclusion that Syrians are weaving.”

Foreign ministries from across the region and Europe—including Turkey, Jordan, Iraq, Israel, Greece, Cyprus, the UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Palestine, Yemen, Oman, Bahrain, Ukraine, Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, and the Netherlands—also issued strong condemnations.

A Painful Reminder of a Fragile Peace

While Syria has seen a decrease in large-scale violence in recent years, attacks like this are a reminder of the fragile security situation and the enduring threat of extremism. For many Syrians, especially religious minorities, peace remains precarious.

For the congregation of Mar Elias Church, Sunday was meant to be a day of reflection and faith. Instead, it became one of mourning—and a solemn call for unity, healing, and vigilance.

Source: CNN – Suicide bomber attack on church in Syria kills at least 20 people

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Syrian President Bashar al-Assad has denied claims that his departure from Syria was planned, according to a statement posted Monday on the Syrian Presidency’s Telegram account. This marks the first time Assad has publicly addressed the events leading to his ousting earlier this month.

In the statement, purportedly from Assad, he insisted that he stayed in Damascus until the final hours before being evacuated to Russia.

Assad: “Departure Was Unplanned”

“My departure from Syria was neither planned nor did it occur during the final hours of the battles, as some have claimed. On the contrary, I remained in Damascus, carrying out my duties until the early hours of Sunday, December 8, 2024,” the statement read.

Assad claimed he moved to Russia’s airbase in Hmeimim on the morning of December 8 at Moscow’s request. Later that day, Russian officials evacuated him and his family when the base came under attack.

Collapse of Damascus Triggered Evacuation

The statement further alleged that the fall of Damascus and the collapse of Syria’s state institutions left no alternative but to evacuate.
“With no viable means of leaving the base, Moscow requested the base’s command arrange an immediate evacuation to Russia on the evening of December 8. This took place a day after Damascus fell, following the collapse of the final military positions and the paralysis of all remaining state institutions,” Assad explained.

“No Plans to Step Down”

Assad denied considering resignation or seeking asylum before his evacuation.
“At no point during these events did I consider stepping down or seeking refuge, nor was such a proposal made by any individual or party. The only course of action was to continue fighting against the terrorist onslaught,” he stated.

Assad justified his departure by claiming his position became meaningless after Syria’s takeover by what he described as “terrorists.”
“When the state falls into the hands of terrorism and the ability to make a meaningful contribution is lost, any position becomes void of purpose, rendering its occupation meaningless.”

Asylum in Russia

Assad and his family were granted asylum in Russia for “humanitarian reasons,” according to Russian officials. They arrived in Moscow late on December 8, following their evacuation from the Hmeimim airbase.

While it remains unclear if Assad controls the Telegram account from which the statement was posted, the message provides insight into his perspective on the dramatic fall of his regime and his subsequent relocation to Russia.

Source

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