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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