Fact Check: ISIS-linked suicide bomber targets congregation during mass in Syria.

Fact Check: "ISIS-linked suicide bomber targets congregation during mass in Syria."

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. Reports indicate that at least 25 people were killed and 63 others were wounded during the attack, which took place while a service was being held (BBC). The Syrian interior ministry confirmed that the attacker was affiliated with the jihadist group Islamic State (IS) (BBC). Eyewitness accounts describe the attacker entering the church, opening fire, and then detonating an explosive vest, which resulted in significant destruction within the church (BBC).

The attack has been characterized as the first of its kind in Damascus since the end of the civil war, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the region. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate condemned the attack, calling it a "treacherous hand of evil" that targeted worshippers during a divine liturgy (BBC).

Analysis

The claim that an ISIS-linked suicide bomber targeted a congregation during mass in Syria is supported by multiple credible sources. The BBC and The New York Times both reported the incident, confirming the attack's details and the affiliation of the attacker with IS (BBC, New York Times).

While some reports initially indicated a lower death toll, the consensus among major news outlets is that the attack resulted in at least 25 fatalities (Al Jazeera, Fox News). The involvement of IS is particularly significant given the group's history of targeting religious minorities in Syria, which has been documented extensively in reports by organizations like RAND (RAND).

Despite the lack of an immediate claim of responsibility from IS itself, the Syrian authorities' assertion of the attacker's affiliation with the group lends credibility to the claim. The context of ongoing sectarian violence and the previous patterns of IS attacks against Christians in Syria further support the likelihood that this incident was indeed linked to the group.

Conclusion

Verdict: True. The evidence clearly supports the claim that an ISIS-linked suicide bomber targeted a congregation during mass in Syria, resulting in significant casualties. The reports from multiple reputable news sources confirm the details of the attack and the affiliation of the perpetrator with the Islamic State.

Fact Check: ISIS-linked suicide bomber targets congregation during mass in Syria.