Fact Check: "First church attack of its kind in Syria in years."
What We Know
On June 22, 2025, a suicide bomber attacked the Greek Orthodox Mar Elias Church in Dweil’a, near Damascus, during a Divine Liturgy service, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people and injuring 63 others, according to Syrian state media and various news outlets (AP News, BBC). This incident is reported as the first attack of its kind on a church in Syria in years, highlighting the ongoing security challenges in the region, particularly concerning religious minorities (BBC, Al Jazeera).
The attack was characterized by a gunman entering the church and opening fire before detonating an explosive vest. Witnesses described a chaotic scene with many casualties, including children (AP News). The Syrian Interior Ministry suggested that the attacker was affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), although no group claimed responsibility immediately following the attack (BBC).
Analysis
The claim that this was the "first church attack of its kind in Syria in years" is supported by the context surrounding the incident. Reports indicate that this attack is unprecedented in recent years, especially in Damascus, where the civil war had previously seen numerous sectarian attacks but had quieted down significantly in recent times (AP News, BBC).
The reliability of the sources reporting this incident is high, as they include reputable news organizations such as the Associated Press and BBC, which adhere to journalistic standards of verification and fact-checking. Additionally, the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a well-known war monitor, corroborated the casualty figures, although their numbers were slightly lower than those reported by state media (AP News, BBC).
However, it is essential to note that the situation in Syria is complex, and while the attack is significant, it reflects broader issues of security and sectarian violence that have persisted in various forms throughout the conflict. The lack of immediate claims of responsibility from extremist groups, despite the Interior Ministry's assertions, adds a layer of uncertainty to the motivations behind the attack (BBC, Al Jazeera).
Conclusion
The claim that the attack on the Mar Elias Church is the "first of its kind in years" is True. The evidence from multiple credible sources confirms that this incident marks a significant and alarming resurgence of violence targeting places of worship in Syria, particularly in a context where such attacks had become increasingly rare in recent years.
