“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,” Barzani said on X.
A deadly suicide bombing attack at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus’s Christian-majority Dweila neighborhood on Sunday left at least 22 dead and 63 injured, according to state media.
“We stand firmly for freedom of faith and against terror in all its forms,” Barzani added.
The Syrian interior ministry blamed ISIS for the attack, saying a suicide bomber entered the church and opened fire before detonating an explosive vest strapped to his body.
Mar Elias Church is regarded as one of the most prominent Christian places of worship in rural Damascus. It holds deep spiritual and historical significance for Syria’s Christian community and frequently hosts both religious and social gatherings, particularly on Sundays and during holidays.
Following a swift offensive in December, a coalition of opposition groups led by Hay’at Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), headed by Ahmed al-Sharaa, toppled the regime of Bashar al-Assad. In late January, Sharaa was appointed Syria’s interim president and has since been scrambling to maintain a tight grip on security.
