Death toll rises in Damascus church attack: Debate over the power behind the assault

A suicide attack carried out on Sunday in the Duwayla district of Damascus, Syria, has caused great shock and concern in the country. While 25 people lost their lives in the attack targeting the Mar Elias Church, 52 others were injured. The Syrian state news agency SANA announced the number of dead and injured following the attack.

Health and security officials, who made a statement regarding the attack, stated that the attacker entered the church in the afternoon, opened fire, and then detonated an explosive vest he was wearing. The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced that the attacker was a member of ISIS. Security sources stated that the attack was planned by two people and that one of the perpetrators blew himself up.

FOOTAGE OF THE MOMENT OF THE ATTACK EMERGES

Congregation members who were in the church for Sunday mass at the time of the incident recorded the horror they experienced with their mobile phones. Following the attack, there was great panic inside the church; dozens of people were injured, and the bodies of those who lost their lives remained among the church pews. Those trying to save their loved ones attempted to transport the injured to the hospital by their own means. The fear and bewilderment on the face of a little girl among those treated at the hospital became a symbol of the trauma caused by the attack.

It was observed that a threatening message in Arabic reading “your turn is coming” was written on the church wall after the attack. This writing has increased concerns that there may be new attacks in the region.

Father Malatius, the priest of the Mar Elias Church, stated, “I am not surprised by this attack. This attack is the natural result of the government-affiliated security forces turning a blind eye to ‘individual errors.’”

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE FOR THE ATTACK?

While the Syrian administration announced that the attack was carried out by ISIS, statements claiming responsibility for the attack by two different organizations were published on social media.

Malfono, from the Telegram group called Levantine Nation, stated that there were some inconsistencies in the ISIS statements circulating on social media. It was noted that the statement was not shared by official ISIS sources and that the language used was inconsistent with previous statements. Malfono also said, “Although the Syrian government blames ISIS, there has still been no official ISIS statement.” Local residents suggest that HTS may also have had a role in the attack.

STATEMENT FROM THE SYRIAN ADMINISTRATION

The Syrian Interim Administration, in a statement made after the attack, stated that the incident was carried out by ISIS and that the goal was to disrupt the country's national unity. The statement emphasized that the attack was a “futile attempt to damage the stability in the country.” It also included the following: “This is an attack not just on one sect, but on the entire Syrian identity. This brutal attack will further strengthen the unity and determination of the Syrians.”

News Source: 12punto