SNHR Condemns the Suicide Attack that Targeted the Church Causing a Massacre that Claimed the Lives of 25 Civilians and Injured 63 Others in a Preliminary Toll
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Damascus – The Syrian Network for Human Rights:
On Sunday, June 22, 2025, a suicide bomber detonated an explosive vest inside the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias (Mar Elias Church) in the Dweila neighborhood of Damascus as worshippers gathered for Sunday Mass. The attack killed 25 civilians, including several women, and wounded 63 others, according to a preliminary toll. The attack also caused extensive damage to the church building and its furnishings. The area is under the control of the transitional government.
According to information we obtained from local sources, the bombing was preceded by gunfire, and the perpetrator then detonated his explosives inside the church, resulting in a large number of civilian casualties.
According to statements from the Ministry of Interior in the transitional government, reported by Syrian official Alikhbaria Channel, the operation was carried out by an ISIS member. The statement added that internal security forces rushed to the bombing site and imposed a security cordon around the church, while specialized teams began collecting evidence and conducting investigations.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights mourns all the lives lost in this horrific attack on a place of worship and expresses its solidarity with the victims, their families, and the Christian community in Syria. We offer our sincere condolences to the families of the victims and wish a speedy and full recovery to all those injured. SNHR confirms that it is still gathering more details and eyewitness testimonies to verify and fully document the circumstances of the incident.
Condemnation and Call to Protect the Crime Scene:
The Syrian Network for Human Rights condemns in the strongest terms this barbaric attack on peaceful civilians performing their religious rituals in a sacred place. Protecting the crime scene at Mar Elias Church is a necessary first step toward establishing the truth and achieving accountability.
The Immediate Need to Protect the Crime Scene
The Mar Elias Church has become a crime scene, and preserving its integrity is an essential component of any professional and transparent investigation upon which credible future accountability can be built. International standards for criminal investigations require the following:
- Secure the site’s perimeter to prevent unauthorized entry and tampering with evidence.
- Regulate the movement of personnel and media to ensure that only authorized forensic teams are allowed to work on the site.
- Implement accurate documentation procedures, including collecting physical evidence such as explosive remnants, structural damage, and human remains, according to a clear chain of custody.
Accordingly, the Syrian Network for Human Rights calls on the competent Syrian authorities to:
- Immediately close and secure the church, allowing access only to independent and qualified forensic teams.
- Prevent media personnel, civilians, or any unauthorized parties from entering the site until the official announcement of the completion of the inspection of the scene.
- Invite international experts, including representatives from the United Nations and recognized forensic authorities, to supervise and participate in the investigation, ensuring transparency and adherence to international standards.
