Türkiye’s foreign ministry, alongside the UN special envoy for Syria, has expressed strong condemnation of a tragic suicide bombing that targeted a church in Damascus, asserting the need for national unity in combating terrorism.
In a statement issued on Sunday, Geir Pedersen referred to the incident at Mar Elias Church in Douileia as a “terrorist attack,” which claimed civilian lives and injured others attending the mass.
“I condemn the terrorist act that has taken the lives of innocent civilians and wounded many who were gathered for worship,” Pedersen emphasized, calling for thorough investigation and decisive action from the authorities involved.
Türkiye also denounced the assault, which the Syrian Health Ministry reported resulted in at least 20 fatalities and injuries to 52 individuals. The attack was carried out by a bomber linked to the Daesh terrorist organization, who opened fire within the church before detonating explosives.
In its official statement, Türkiye’s Foreign Ministry characterized the attack as an effort to destabilize Syria and disrupt its social fabric. “This assault seeks to undermine the establishment of stability and security in Syria, as well as to disturb social peace and unity,” the ministry stated.
Ankara reaffirmed its commitment to upholding Syria’s sovereignty and national unity, pledging to extend “all necessary support” while expressing confidence in the resilience of the Syrian people.
This bombing follows shortly after Syria’s Interior Ministry reported the discovery of Daesh terror cells in rural Damascus on May 26. Security forces had confiscated light- and medium-caliber weapons during that operation.
Since the end of the Assad regime, Syria’s security forces have persistently targeted individuals involved in crimes, human rights violations, and terrorism-related activities.
