Mideast governments condemn suicide bombing of Syrian church as death toll rises to 25

DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — The death toll from a suicide bomb attack on a church in Syria at the weekend has risen to 25, state media said Monday.

The attack Sunday on the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox church during a Divine Liturgy in Dweil’a, near Damascus, was the first of its kind in Syria in years, and comes as Damascus under its de facto Islamist rule is trying to win the support of minorities.

The Interior Ministry and witnesses said a gunman entered the church and opened fire on the congregation before detonating an explosive vest.

State news agency SANA, citing the Health Ministry, said 63 other people were wounded in the attack. Father Fadi Ghattas told The Associated Press that some 350 people were praying at the church.

https://apnews.com/article/syria-church-bombing-damascus-6b50914de4ee3b6944522bf6e3a8dd10