22 killed after suicide bomber opens fire at church and then detonates explosive vest

At least 22 people have been killed after a suicide bomber opened fire at a church in Syria and then detonated an explosive vest.

This is the first such incident since Bashar al Assad was toppled in December, and officials claim the attacker was a member of the Islamic State.

The incident occurred at a Greek Orthodox church in Damascus, with estimates suggesting that approximately 350 worshippers were gathered for prayer at the time.

Witnesses said the perpetrator had his face covered when he began shooting, and blew himself up as crowds attempted to remove him from the building.

A security source told Reuters that two men were involved in the attack, with a priest saying he saw a second gunman at the entrance.

Officials say 63 people were injured, and children were among the casualties.

Syria’s information minister, Hamza Mostafa, condemned the terrorist attack, writing on X: “This cowardly act goes against the civic values that bring us together.

“We will not back down from our commitment to equal citizenship… and we also affirm the state’s pledge to exert all its efforts to combat criminal organisations.”

Reports suggest that IS has attempted to attack several churches in Syria since Assad fell, but this is the first time they have succeeded.

Footage filmed by Syria’s civil defence, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction inside the church, including bloodied floors and shattered pews.

The Greek foreign ministry says it “unequivocally condemns the abhorrent terrorist suicide bombing”, and calls on Syria “to guarantee the safety” of Christians with new measures.