A blast rocked the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Syria’s capital, Damascus, on Sunday, according to witnesses.
One witness told Reuters news agency that a suicide bomber detonated himself inside the church. Syrian state TV also reported that a suicide bomb caused the blast.
“A suicide attacker detonates an explosive belt inside the Saint Elias church in the Dwelaa area of Damascus,” state TV reported.
Correspondents for the AFP news agency at the scene said the church was damaged with shattered wood from fittings and pews, and pools of blood on the ground.
At least 15 reported dead
Security sources said at least 15 people were killed, with the suicide bomber said to have been a member of the “Islamic State.”
The Interior Ministry added that the bomber entered the church, opened fire and then detonated an explosive vest.
One security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.
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.
The incident marks the first suicide bombing inside Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was toppled by an Islamist-led rebel insurgency in December.
Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the offensive against Assad before, has repeatedly said he will protect minorities during his tenure.
Edited by Sean Sinico
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