A little-known Islamist group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, has claimed responsibility for the devastating bombing at Saint Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria, on Sunday. The attack killed 25 Christians and injured 63 more, marking the deadliest assault on a Christian place of worship in Syria since the civil war began in 2011.
The group, considered an offshoot of the Islamic State (IS), announced via social media that the bombing was in retaliation for what it described as "provocations by Christians in Damascus." The explosion occurred during Sunday mass in the al-Dweilaa neighborhood, a mixed Christian-Sunni area. Witnesses reported that the attacker opened fire inside the church before detonating explosives, causing widespread devastation among the 350 worshippers present.
Saraya Ansar al-Sunna has been linked to a series of sectarian attacks targeting Syria’s religious minorities, including Alawites, Christians, Druze, and Shiite Muslims. Human rights groups say the group was also behind massacres of Alawite civilians earlier this year. The group disputes government claims that several suspects have been arrested, calling official statements "false and fabricated" and warning of further attacks.
The bombing has reignited fears among Syria's Christian community and other minorities about their safety in the post-Assad era, as the new Islamist-led government struggles to contain extremist violence and sectarian tensions. The attack drew swift condemnation from international and regional leaders, with Pope Leo XIV expressing deep sorrow and calling for peace and healing for the Syrian people.
Authorities continue to investigate the incident, vowing to bring all perpetrators to justice as the country grapples with the ongoing threat posed by radical splinter groups in the aftermath of regime change.