Fact Check: "First church attack in Damascus since civil war ended in December."
What We Know
On June 22, 2025, a suicide bombing occurred at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in Damascus, resulting in the deaths of at least 25 individuals and injuring over 63 others, according to the Syrian health ministry (BBC). The attack was characterized as the first of its kind in Damascus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024, which marked the end of a prolonged civil war that lasted over 13 years (BBC, UN News). The attacker was reported to be affiliated with the Islamic State (IS) group, although there was no immediate claim of responsibility from the group itself (BBC, Reuters).
Witnesses described a chaotic scene where the attacker opened fire before detonating an explosive vest inside the church during a service (BBC). The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch condemned the attack, calling it a "treacherous hand of evil" that targeted worshippers during a divine liturgy (BBC).
Analysis
The claim that this was the first church attack in Damascus since the civil war ended is supported by multiple credible sources. The BBC and UN News both confirm that this incident marks the first successful attack on a church in the capital since the regime change in December 2024 (BBC, UN News). Additionally, the Wikipedia entry on the Mar Elias Church attack corroborates this information, stating that it was the first suicide bombing in Damascus since the fall of the Assad regime (Wikipedia).
However, it is essential to note that while the Islamic State has attempted attacks on churches in Syria since the regime's fall, this was the first to succeed (Reuters). This context adds weight to the claim, as it highlights the ongoing threat posed by extremist groups in the region, despite the change in government.
The reliability of the sources used in this analysis is high. The BBC and UN News are established news organizations known for their rigorous reporting standards. Wikipedia, while generally reliable for initial information, should be cross-referenced with primary sources for critical claims. The corroboration from multiple outlets strengthens the claim's validity.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The assertion that the suicide bombing at the church in Damascus was the first such attack since the end of the civil war in December 2024 is accurate. This is supported by multiple credible sources that confirm the timeline and nature of the attack.
Sources
- Syria: Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 25 - BBC
- Mar Elias Church attack - Wikipedia
- Syria Church Bombing Kills at Least 20 in Damascus - New York Times
- Twenty killed in suicide bombing at Damascus church - Reuters
- Suicide bomber kills at least 22 in church near Syria's capital - AP News
- UN condemns 'heinous' terrorist attack at Damascus church - UN News
- Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 25, Syrian authorities say - BBC
- Syria church bombing kills 25, dozens wounded - Al Jazeera
