The United Nations has strongly condemned a suicide bombing at a church in Damascus on Sunday that killed 25 worshippers, including women and children, during mass.
At least 60 others were wounded in the attack, which took place at the Greek Orthodox St. Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood.
According to reports, a gunman opened fire inside the church before detonating an explosive vest. Photos and videos from the scene showed extensive damage, including a heavily damaged altar and pews covered in broken glass.
UN Secretary-General António Guterres described the attack as a “heinous crime” and expressed his deepest condolences to the families of the victims while wishing a swift recovery to the injured. His spokesperson, Stéphane Dujarric, stated on Monday, “All perpetrators of terrorism must be held accountable.”
Guterres noted that Syrian interim authorities had attributed the attack to the terrorist group ISIL (also known as Da’esh) based on preliminary investigations and called for a thorough and impartial probe.
“The Secretary-General reaffirms the commitment of the United Nations to supporting the Syrian people in their pursuit of peace, dignity, and justice,” Dujarric added.
UN Special Envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen also condemned the bombing “in the strongest possible terms,” urging authorities to investigate and ensure accountability. He called for unity in rejecting terrorism, extremism, and incitement, emphasizing Syria’s history as a diverse nation of different faiths.
Adam Abdelmoula, the UN Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator in Syria, described the bombing as a “deliberate attack on a place of worship” that targeted civilians, including women and children, gathered in prayer.
“There is no room for violence and extremism,” he said, urging solidarity as Syria works toward recovery and reconciliation.
Abdelmoula reiterated the UN’s continued support for the Syrian people and called for all possible measures to protect civilians, prevent future attacks, and bring the perpetrators to justice.
