Fact Check: This is the first church attack in Syria in years.

Fact Check: "This is the first church attack in Syria in years."

What We Know

The claim that the recent attack on a church in Syria is the first in years is misleading. On June 22, 2025, a suicide bomber attacked the Greek Orthodox Mar Elias Church in Dweila, Damascus, resulting in at least 25 fatalities and over 63 injuries (source-1, source-2). This incident has been described as the first suicide bombing in the capital since December 2024, but it is not the first attack on a church in Syria during that timeframe. Reports indicate that there have been multiple attacks targeting Christian sites in recent years, particularly as remnants of the Islamic State have sought to exploit the instability in the region (source-3, source-4).

Analysis

The assertion that this is the first church attack in years overlooks the context of ongoing violence against religious minorities in Syria. While the June 2025 bombing is indeed significant and tragic, it follows a pattern of attacks that have targeted Christian communities, particularly since the onset of the Syrian civil war. For instance, the Syrian authorities have reported foiling several plots aimed at Christian sites in the months leading up to this attack (source-1).

Moreover, the description of this incident as the first of its kind in years may stem from the fact that it is the first suicide bombing since the change in government leadership in December 2024 (source-2). However, this does not negate the reality of previous attacks or the ongoing threats faced by religious minorities in Syria.

The sources reporting on this incident, including major news outlets like The New York Times and BBC, are generally considered reliable. However, the framing of the event as a unique occurrence may reflect a bias in emphasizing the novelty of the attack rather than the continuity of violence against churches in Syria (source-3, source-5).

Conclusion

Verdict: False. The claim that the June 2025 attack on a church in Syria is the first in years is inaccurate. While it is a significant and tragic event, it is not the first attack on a church in recent years, as there have been multiple incidents targeting Christian communities in Syria. The framing of this attack as a unique occurrence fails to acknowledge the ongoing violence and threats faced by these communities.