### Tragic Attack at Damascus Church Claims Lives of 22 Worshippers

In a tragic incident, a suicide bombing at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias in Damascus resulted in the deaths of 22 individuals and injuries to 63 others. Perpetrated by an attacker linked to the Islamic State, this incident marks a grim reminder of ongoing sectarian violence in Syria, despite past efforts towards peace.

A suicide bombing tragic attack at a church in Damascus has taken the lives of at least 22 people, according to the Syrian health ministry. The incident occurred during a service at the Greek Orthodox Church of the Prophet Elias, located in the Dweila neighborhood, where a gunman opened fire before detonating an explosive vest. The attacker, identified as affiliated with the Islamic State (IS), has not yet received any official claim of responsibility from the group.

Eyewitness accounts describe a chaotic scene as an individual entered the church with a weapon and began firing, prompting panic among the congregation. "People tried to stop him before he blew himself up," reported Lawrence Maamari, a witness to the horror. Ziad, who was nearby, recounted hearing gunfire followed by an explosion that shattered the church's windows and caused massive destruction.

The tragic bombing occurred a week after the Syrian state claimed victory over Islamist-led rebel forces, bringing an end to a civil war that lasted over a decade. The Greek Orthodox Patriarchate of Antioch released a statement condemning the attack, urging Syrian authorities to take responsibility for the protection of religious spaces and their congregants.

Interior Minister Anas Khattab stated that investigative teams have been deployed to look into the incident, labeling it a "reprehensible crime." He emphasized that such terrorist acts will not alter the state's commitment to achieving civil peace in the country.

UN special envoy Geir Pedersen condemned the bombing, calling for unity against terrorism and extremism. Meanwhile, US envoy Tom Barrack remarked on the attack as a cowardly act that undermines efforts towards social integration and tolerance in Syria.

The interim president, Ahmed al-Sharaa, has reiterated promises to safeguard religious and ethnic minorities amidst a backdrop of violence that has claimed numerous lives in recent months. The IS group, despite its territorial defeat in 2019, still poses a significant threat within the country, with warnings of potential resurgences amid the ongoing political transitions.

With over 9,000 IS fighters currently detained across various prisons in Syria and thousands more families linked to the group held in camps, the threat of extremist violence remains a pressing concern for the fragmented nation.