PM Barzani Condemns Damascus Church Bombing, Expresses Solidarity with Victims
“I strongly condemn the terrorist suicide attack at Mar Elias Church in Damascus. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected. We stand firmly for freedom of faith and against terror in all its forms," PM Masrour Barzani stated.
By Kamaran Aziz
ERBIL (Kurdistan24) — Kurdistan Region Prime Minister Masrour Barzani strongly condemned the suicide bombing at Mar Elias Church in Damascus, Syria, which killed at least 15 people on Sunday in one of the deadliest attacks in the Syrian capital in recent years.
In a statement posted on his official X (formerly Twitter) account, Prime Minister Barzani said: “I strongly condemn the terrorist suicide attack at Mar Elias Church in Damascus. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected. We stand firmly for freedom of faith and against terror in all its forms.”
I strongly condemn the terrorist suicide attack at Mar Elias Church in Damascus. My thoughts are with the victims, their families, and all those affected.
— Masrour Barzani (@masrourbarzani) June 23, 2025
We stand firmly for freedom of faith and against terror in all its forms.
The attack, claimed by Syria’s interior ministry to have been carried out by a member of the Islamic State (ISIS) group, targeted worshippers gathered at the Saint Elias Church in the Dwelaa neighborhood of Damascus. The ministry stated: “A suicide attacker affiliated with the Daesh (ISIS) terrorist group entered the Saint Elias church in the Dwelaa area of the capital Damascus where he opened fire then blew himself up with an explosive belt.”
According to Syrian civil defence forces, the bombing resulted in “more than 15 people and a number of wounded, according to a preliminary toll.”
AFP correspondents at the scene described the aftermath as devastating. First responders were seen transporting the wounded and recovering bodies, while inside the church, shattered wooden pews, broken icons, and pools of blood painted a grim picture of the violence.
Witnesses recounted the horror of the moment. One man told AFP that “someone entered from outside carrying a weapon” and began shooting at congregants. “People tried to stop him before he blew himself up,” he said.
Another witness, Ziad, aged 40, speaking from a shop across the street, said: “We heard gunfire then an explosion. We saw fire in the church and the remains of wooden benches thrown all the way to the entrance.”
This attack marks the first major bombing in Damascus since Islamist-led rebel groups ousted President Bashar al-Assad in December. Despite the change in leadership, security remains a key concern for the new authorities attempting to restore stability.
Prime Minister Barzani’s condemnation underscores the Kurdistan Region’s broader stance against terrorism and in favor of religious freedom across the region. His statement aligns with other regional and international responses condemning acts of religiously motivated violence and reaffirming solidarity with victims of terrorism.
As of Monday, no international group has claimed responsibility beyond the official attribution to ISIS by the Syrian government.
