Fact Check: "At least 20 killed in shocking church suicide bombing in Damascus"
What We Know
On June 22, 2025, a suicide bombing occurred at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus, Syria. According to reports from the Syrian health ministry, at least 20 people were killed, and dozens more were injured in the attack. The interior ministry attributed the bombing to a member of the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) (BBC, source-1; Reuters, source-2). Eyewitness accounts described the attacker entering the church, opening fire, and then detonating an explosive vest (Le Monde, source-5).
The attack is significant as it marks the first such incident in the Syrian capital since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime and the onset of the civil war in 2011. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate condemned the attack and called for the protection of religious minorities in Syria (BBC, source-1).
Analysis
The reports from multiple reputable news sources consistently confirm that at least 20 people were killed in the attack. The Syrian interior ministry's statement linking the bomber to IS adds credibility to the claim, as the group has a documented history of targeting religious minorities in Syria (Reuters, source-2).
Eyewitness accounts corroborate the sequence of events, indicating that the attacker first opened fire before detonating the explosives, which aligns with typical tactics used by IS in previous attacks (Le Monde, source-5).
While the Syrian government has been criticized for its handling of security, the international community's condemnation of the attack and calls for investigations suggest a recognition of the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups in the region (People, source-7).
Overall, the sources used are credible, with established news organizations providing consistent information about the incident. The Syrian health ministry's figures and the interior ministry's statements are corroborated by independent eyewitness accounts.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that "at least 20 killed in shocking church suicide bombing in Damascus" is accurate based on multiple credible sources reporting the same information. The consistency of the reports, the involvement of a recognized terrorist group, and eyewitness testimonies all support the validity of the claim.
Sources
- Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 20, authorities say. BBC
- Twenty killed in suicide bombing at Damascus church. Reuters
- 歼-20的总设计师杨伟职务被免，是什么情况？ 知乎
- 死亡不掉落指令1.20.1. 百度知道
- At least 20 killed in suicide attack on Damascus church. Le Monde
- 钢筋25、22、20、18、16、12、10、8每米重多少？ 百度知道
- Syria Suicide Bomber Kills at Least 20, Injures Dozens. People
