The suicide bombing killed 20, 52 wounds at the Damascus Church, triggered anger

At least 20 people were killed and 52 were injured on Sunday in a suicide attack that destroyed in a church in Damascus, an incident caused by the Syrian interior ministry associated with members of the Islamic State group.

This attack marked the first of its type in the Syrian capital since the troops led by Islam overthrow the old rulers of Bashar al-Assad in December, and the first attack on a church since the civil war in the country erupted in 2011.

The Ministry of Home Affairs stated that “A suicide striker affiliated with terrorist group Daesh (IS) entered the Saint Elias church in the Dwelaa area in the Damascus Capital where he opened fire and then blew himself up with an explosive belt.” The Ministry of Health’s statement, which was delivered by the State News Agency, confirmed the number of victims, revising the previous Civil Defense Victims.

Witnesses tell the horror of the attack. Observer Lawrence Maamari told reporters that “someone entered (church) from outside carrying a weapon” and began to shoot, adding that people “tried to stop it before he blew himself up.” Ziad, 40, a shopkeeper near the church, described hearing a shot followed by an explosion, seeing the glass flying at him.

“We saw the fire in the church and the remaining wooden benches were thrown at the entrance,” he said.

An anonymous eyewitness also told reporters that the explosion triggered panic and fear among worshipers, who included children and parents. The report also shows that some people are missing, with a dead family to look for the person they love.

Also read: Tinubu Urges Activation of Fast Strength of Alert Ecowas, Warming of Slow Speed

Fast international criticism. The United Nations special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen stated “anger over this heinous crime,” called for a statement for “full investigation and action by the authorities.” The French Foreign Ministry condemned the attack as a “despicable, terrorist” act, reiterating its commitment to “transitions in Syria that enable Syria, whatever their religion, to live in peace and security in a free, united, pluralistic, prosperous, stable, and sovereign country”. The Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also described the attack as “an effort to give up to damage the national coexistence and to confuse the country.”

Security remains a great challenge for the new Syrian authority, which has been repeatedly urged by the international community and visited messengers to protect minority groups, especially after sectarian violence flares in several parts of the country. Former ruler of Bashar al-Assad often described himself as a minority protector, who faced many attacks for almost 14 years of Syrian civil war, with many claimed by jihadist groups such as IS.

Minister of Home Affairs Anas Khattab expressed his condolences to the victims and confirmed that “the special team from the ministry has begun an investigation of the state of this despicable crime.” Khattab emphasized that the country’s determination, stated, “This terrorist acts will not stop Syrian’s efforts in achieving civilian peace.” In an interview earlier this month, Khattab had recorded a developing security challenge, mentioning that it had shifted “to study attacks on strategic targets,” and previously tried to “carry out attacks on the Christian and Shiite communities” which had been foiled by the authorities.

Last month, claimed the first attack on the new Syrian government forces. At the same time, the Syrian authorities reported the arrest of members of the IS cell near Damascus, accused them of preparing the attack, while other anti-IS operations in Aleppo resulted in the death of one security officer and three IS members. Has confiscated a major plot of Syria and Iraq in the early years of the Civil War, stating “Caliphate” cross-border in 2014. Although the US Kurdish Kurdish troops supported by the Proto countries in 2019, the jihadists have maintained presence, especially in the fobant area of ​​Syaa.