Suicide Bomber 'Kills 20 and injures 52' in attack on Church full of worshipers in Syria
At least 20 worshippers have been killed and 52 injured in a suicide bomb attack at a Christian church in
Syria.
The bomber opened fire as people were praying inside Mar Elias Church, in the Dweila neighbourhood of Damascus, before detonating his vest.
Horrifying footage showed blood splattered over the shattered pews and masonry walls following the blast.
Syria's interior ministry said a member of the
Islamic State group was behind Sunday's attack.
'A suicide attacker affiliated with the Daesh (IS) terrorist group entered the Saint Elias church... opened fire then blew himself up with an explosive belt,' the ministry said in a statement.
The attack was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under its de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of minorities.
As President Ahmad al-Sharaa struggles to exert authority across the country, there have been concerns about the presence of sleeper cells of extremist groups in the war-torn country.
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The bomber opened fire as people were praying inside Mar Elias Church, in the Dweila neighbourhood of Damascus, before detonating his vest.
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