A suspected ISIS suicide bomber carried out a devastating attack inside a Damascus church on Sunday, resulting in the deaths of at least 22 people and injuring more than 50 others during a religious service.
The deadly explosion occurred at the Mar Elias Church in Dweil’a, located on the outskirts of Syria’s capital city.
The attack took place during a crowded prayer service when the facility was packed with worshippers.
Syrian Interior Ministry officials reported that the attacker, believed to have connections to the Islamic State group, forced his way into the building and began shooting at congregants before detonating an explosive vest.
A local witness named Rawad provided details of the attack to the Associated Press.
“He was shooting at the church … he then went inside the church and blew himself up,” Rawad stated.
The Syrian Civil Defence organization, commonly known as the White Helmets, released photographs from the scene showing the extensive damage caused by the explosion.
The images revealed splintered wooden pews covered in blood and surrounded by debris from the blast.
Multiple media outlets reported that children were among the casualties in this heinous attack on innocent worshippers.
This bombing marks the first major suicide