At least 15 worshippers have been killed in a suicide bomb attack at a Christian church in Syria. 

The bomber opened fire as people were praying inside Mar Elias Church, in the Dweila neighbourhood of Damascus, before detonating his vest. 

Some children are thought to be among the wounded, according to state media.

The recent attack in Syria is unprecedented, marking the first of its kind in years. This comes at a time when Damascus, under its de facto Islamist rule, is making efforts to gain the support of minority groups.

President Ahmad al-Sharaa is facing challenges in asserting his authority across Syria. There are concerns about the existence of dormant extremist cells within the war-torn nation.

While no specific group has claimed responsibility for the attack as of Sunday, the Syrian Interior Ministry reported that an extremist linked to the Islamic State group entered a church, opened fire on the people inside, and then detonated an explosives vest, corroborating witness accounts.

The attack comes 24 hours after Syria’s security forces detained Wassim al-Assad, a cousin of toppled leader Bashar al-Assad. 

A witness who identified himself as Rawad said he saw the attacker who was accompanied by two others who fled as he was driving near the church.

The bomber opened fire as people were praying inside Mar Elias Church, in the Dweila neighbourhood of Damascus, before detonating his vest

Syrian security forces stand guard outside Mar Elias church where a suicide bomber detonated himself in Dweil’a

‘He was shooting at the church – he then went inside the church and blew himself up,’ he said. 

Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa condemned the attack, calling it a terrorist attack.

‘This cowardly act goes against the civic values that brings us together,’ he said in a post on X. 

‘We will to back down from our commitment to equal citizenship – and we also affirm the state’s pledge to exert all its efforts to combat criminal organizations and to protect society from all attacks threatening its safety.’

Syria’s interior ministry said a member of the Islamic State group was behind Sunday’s attack.

‘A suicide attacker affiliated with the Daesh (IS) terrorist group entered the Saint Elias church… opened fire then blew himself up with an explosive belt,’ the ministry said in a statement.

Security forces and first-responders rushed to the church. Panicked survivors wailed, as one lady fell to her knees and burst into tears. 

A member of the Syrian security force inspects the damage after a blast rocked the Mar Elias Church

Rescuers inspect the damage at the site of the suicide bomb attack at the Mar Elias Church

People and civil defence members inspect the damage after a blast rocked the Mar Elias Church

A view of heavy damage after an explosion at the Mar Elias Chuch, in the Dweila neighbourhood of Damascus

Syria’s interior ministry said a member of the Islamic State group was behind Sunday’s attack (Pictured here is some of damage caused by the bomb attack)

A livestream from the site by Syria’s civil defence, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction from within the church

A photo circulated by Syrian state media SANA showed the church’s pews covered in debris and blood.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.

A livestream from the site by Syria’s civil defence, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction from within the church, including a bloodied floor and shattered church pews and masonry.

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who led the offensive against Assad before taking over in January for a transitional phase, has repeatedly said he will protect minorities during his tenure.