At least 20 killed in suicide bombing at Damascus church

 

At least 20 killed in suicide bombing at Damascus church

Syria's Interior Ministry says at least 20 people have been killed in a suicide bombing at a church near the capital, Damascus. Another 52 people were injured in the incident at the Mar Elias church in the Douweila area on Sunday, the BBC reported.

Syria's interior ministry said in a statement that a man entered the church during prayers and opened fire with a firearm and then detonated an explosive vest strapped to his body.

Authorities say the attacker was affiliated with the Islamic State group. However, ISIS has not yet claimed responsibility for the attack.

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The Syrian Civil Defense released some photos and videos of the inside of the church. They show church altars shattered by explosions, benches covered in broken glass, and blood on the floor.

Outside the church, a man said a man entered with a gun and started shooting. When he tried to stop him, he blew himself up. A worker at a nearby shop said: "We saw a fire in the church, a piece of wooden bench came off and fell near the door of the church.

The interior ministry said security forces had cordoned off the area around the church and launched an investigation.

It was the first suicide attack in Damascus since the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in December.