Syrian officials say they have made several arrests linked to a suicide bombing that killed at least 25 people and injured more than 60 at a Greek Orthodox church near Damascus on Sunday.
According to Syria’s interior ministry, "a number of criminals involved in the attack" have been taken into custody. The arrests were reportedly made during operations targeting sites associated with cells of the Islamic State terrorist organization, also known as ISIS or Daesh.
Security forces recovered explosive devices and a booby-trapped motorcycle during a raid in the Damascus area, France24 reported, citing ministry officials.
Interior Minister Anas Khattab described the raids as directed against “locations linked to cells of the terrorist organization Islamic State.” No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, but preliminary findings point to ISIS, according to ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba.
The suicide attack occurred during prayer at Mar Elias Church in the Dweil’a district on the outskirts of the Syrian capital. Officials say the attacker first opened fire on churchgoers before detonating himself.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, addressing the nation shortly after the bombing, promised swift action, saying authorities would “work night and day” to locate and prosecute those responsible and “bring them to justice.”
The bombing is the latest in a series of sectarian attacks that have targeted minority religious communities in the country. The region has seen ongoing clashes involving Alawite and Druze groups, as well as the rise of Islamist militant factions.
The situation remains unstable after the collapse of the previous government led by Bashar al-Assad, who fled the country and now resides in Russia.
Sharaa called for unity in the face of rising threats: “The attack reminds us of the importance of solidarity, and unity of the government and the people in facing all that threatens our nation's security and stability.”
