At least 20 people were killed and more than 50 injured after a suicide bomber attacked a church in central Damascus, Syria’s capital, on Sunday, officials confirmed.
The attack took place during a service at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in the Dweila neighbourhood. According to Syria’s interior ministry, the assailant, identified as a member of ISIL, entered the church, opened fire, and then detonated his explosive vest. A second man was reportedly involved but his fate remains unclear.
This marks the first suicide bombing in Damascus since Bashar al-Assad was ousted by an Islamist-led rebel coalition in December. The incident highlights the persistent threat posed by ISIL despite the group’s territorial defeat.
The health ministry reported 52 people were injured in the blast. A livestream from the scene by Syria’s civil defence, the White Helmets, showed extensive damage inside the church, including bloodstained floors and shattered masonry.
ISIL has previously attempted attacks on churches in Syria, but this is the first successful strike since Assad's removal. A security source told Reuters the group had intensified its focus on religious minorities in recent months.
President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed power in January for a transitional period, condemned the attack and reiterated his commitment to protecting minority communities.
The Greek foreign ministry also issued a statement, denouncing the bombing as "abhorrent" and urging Syrian transitional authorities to take swift action to secure all religious groups.
ISIL had carried out similar attacks in the past, notably the 2016 bombing targeting Shiite pilgrims in Sayeda Zainab, one of the deadliest incidents during Assad’s rule.
The latest bombing raises concerns over ongoing security lapses and the resurgence of extremist violence in the post-Assad era.
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More than 2 million Syrian refugees and internally displaced persons have returned to their homes since December, according to the UN refugee agency, which emphasized the urgent need for a political resolution to prevent renewed instability.
Iraq has officially reopened the Qaim border crossing with Syria, allowing trade and passenger traffic to resume in a key step toward restoring economic and diplomatic ties between the two countries.
Forced displacement worldwide has hit a record 122.1 million, driven by conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine, and beyond, as humanitarian needs soar.
Türkiye’s Minister of Transport and Infrastructure, Abdulkadir Uraloğlu, has announced that Turkish low-cost carrier AJet will begin operating regular flights to Damascus later this month.
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that U.S. strikes hit entrances to tunnels storing part of Iran’s enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
The Israeli military says Iran has launched missiles at Israel, following Israeli air strikes on military sites in Tehran, Karaj, and other parts of Iran. Iranian air defences have been activated in multiple locations amid escalating hostilities.
Global oil prices surged on Sunday as the Israel-Iran conflict continued to rattle markets, with Brent crude rising 3.9% to $80 per barrel and U.S. crude climbing 4.3% to $77 per barrel.
Tesla has begun a small-scale robotaxi trial in Austin, Texas, deploying about 10 self-driving cars to pick up paying passengers in a limited area, as the state enacts new regulations for autonomous vehicles.
Iranian missiles struck multiple locations across Israel and neighbouring regions early Friday morning, including a Microsoft office complex, according to emergency responders and local media reports.
A high-speed tram derailment in central Gothenburg, Sweden, has left at least eight people injured late on Thursday (19 June), after the vehicle slammed into a snack bar on Avenyn Avenue.
China has unveiled a mosquito-sized bionic drone designed for covert military operations and battlefield reconnaissance, marking a major advance in micro-robotics and stealth technology as part of the country’s growing focus on next-generation warfare capabilities.
The 2025 G7 Leaders’ Summit was held June 15–17 in Kananaskis, Alberta, under Canada’s presidency. Prime Minister Mark Carney framed the meeting around priorities of protecting communities, energy and climate security, the digital transition, and future partnerships.
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The Israeli military says Iran has launched missiles at Israel, following Israeli air strikes on military sites in Tehran, Karaj, and other parts of Iran. Iranian air defences have been activated in multiple locations amid escalating hostilities.
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Iran's top security body, the SNSC, will decide on closing the Strait of Hormuz, a critical oil and gas chokepoint, after parliament's reported approval. A Revolutionary Guards commander stated the measure is "on the agenda," signaling escalating tensions.
Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Saturday voiced deep concern over the escalating tensions following the United States’ military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, calling on all sides to prioritize diplomacy over confrontation.
Some Democratic and Republican lawmakers are urging Congress to limit President Donald Trump’s military actions in Iran, warning against deeper U.S. involvement in the escalating Middle East conflict.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed that U.S. strikes hit entrances to tunnels storing part of Iran’s enriched uranium at the Isfahan nuclear site.
The Israeli military says Iran has launched missiles at Israel, following Israeli air strikes on military sites in Tehran, Karaj, and other parts of Iran. Iranian air defences have been activated in multiple locations amid escalating hostilities.
Global oil prices surged on Sunday as the Israel-Iran conflict continued to rattle markets, with Brent crude rising 3.9% to $80 per barrel and U.S. crude climbing 4.3% to $77 per barrel.
Tesla has begun a small-scale robotaxi trial in Austin, Texas, deploying about 10 self-driving cars to pick up paying passengers in a limited area, as the state enacts new regulations for autonomous vehicles.
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