Fact Check: Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 22 and wounds 63.

Fact Check: "Suicide bombing at Damascus church kills 22 and wounds 63."

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 the Syrian health ministry, the attack resulted in 22 deaths and 63 injuries. The assailant reportedly opened fire on worshippers before detonating an explosive vest during a service, marking a significant act of violence in a region that has seen reduced conflict since the end of the Syrian civil war in December 2022 (BBC, Sky News).

Witnesses described a chaotic scene with gunfire followed by an explosion, and images from the aftermath depicted extensive damage within the church (Reuters, AP News). The Syrian Interior Ministry indicated that the attacker was affiliated with the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), although no immediate claim of responsibility was made by the group itself (BBC, Times Now).

Analysis

The reports from various news outlets consistently support the claim that 22 people were killed and 63 were wounded in the attack. The Syrian health ministry's statement has been corroborated by multiple sources, including the BBC and Sky News, which both cite official figures (BBC, Sky News).

While the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights provided slightly varying figures, reporting at least 19 deaths, it did not contradict the higher toll reported by state media (AP News). The discrepancy in numbers is not uncommon in conflict zones, where casualty figures can vary due to the chaotic nature of such events and the challenges in gathering accurate data.

The reliability of the sources reporting on this incident is generally high. Major outlets like the BBC, Reuters, and AP News have established reputations for journalistic integrity and fact-checking, particularly in covering international events. However, it is important to note that state media in Syria may have potential biases, particularly in framing the narrative around the government’s response to terrorism (Sky News).

Witness accounts, such as those from individuals present during the attack, further substantiate the reported details, providing a human perspective on the violence and its impact on the community (AP News, Times Now).

Conclusion

The claim that a suicide bombing at a church in Damascus killed 22 people and wounded 63 is True. This conclusion is supported by multiple credible sources, including official statements from the Syrian health ministry and corroborating reports from reputable news organizations. The consistency of the casualty figures across various reports lends further credence to the accuracy of this claim.