The attack on a church in Damascus was the first attack of its kind since the new government came to power, raising concerns that ISIS and other extremists may be making more inroads in Syria.
The Islamic State was never fully defeated in Syria, but it was assumed to be operating primarily from small cells in the desert. The attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in Damascus’s Dweila neighborhood during a church service, which killed 22 and wounded more than 60, shows that the extremist threat remains.
Condemnations have come from around the world, showing the centrality of Syria to many countries that want to see it become a peaceful success in the region.
Maronite Patriarch Cardinal Mar Bechara Boutros al-Rahi condemned the terrorist bombing, urging “the promotion of love, dialogue, and mutual respect as a path to peace in Syria,” according to Syrian state media SANA.
According to a statement released by the Patriarch’s media office and reported by Lebanon’s National News Agency, “Rahi was deeply pained by the heinous terrorist bombing.”
Israel condemns 'cowardly terrorist attack' on Syrian church
Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar also condemned the attack, saying he was “horrified by the cowardly terrorist attack in the Mar Elias church in Damascus... My condolences to the families of the victims and to the Christian community in Syria.”
Tom Barrack, the US envoy to Syria, who is also ambassador to Turkey, said on behalf of US President Donald Trump and the American people, “We would like to express our condolences to the victims, families, and individuals impacted by the terrorist attack today at Mar Elias church.”
He noted that “these terrible acts of cowardice have no place in the new tapestry of integrated tolerance and inclusion that Syrians are weaving. We continue to support the Syrian government as it fights against those who are seeking to create instability and fear in their country and the broader region.”
Turkey’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan also condemned the “heinous terrorist attack.”
“I condemn the heinous terrorist attack on a church in Damascus, and I offer my condolences to the families of the victims and to the government and people of Syria… We will not allow Syria to be dragged back into an unstable environment by terrorist organizations affiliated with others, and we will continue to support the Syrian government in its efforts to combat terrorism.”
Other countries in the region also condemned the attack. From Qatar to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates, the region stands in solidarity with Syria.
Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa and his government have described the victims as martyrs and called for days of mourning.
The question is now whether ISIS can be fully defeated, and whether these threats will stop.