A suicide bombing at St Elias Church in Damascus's Dwaila district on the evening of June 22 killed 20 people and injured 52, according to the Syrian Ministry of Health.

The attack began with gunfire directed at worshippers inside the church before the assailant detonated a suicide vest, according to footage seen by IntelliNews.

Syria's Interior Ministry confirmed the attacker was affiliated with the Islamic State (ISIS), stating: "A terrorist belonging to ISIS entered St. Elias Church in the Al-Dwaila neighbourhood of the capital Damascus, opened fire, and then blew himself up using an explosive vest."

Emergency units rushed to the scene, cordoning off the area as forensic teams began collecting evidence. Correspondents reported ambulances transporting victims, whilst images showed scattered wooden pews and blood stains inside the church.

The head of Internal Security in Damascus Governorate, Osama Mohammad Khair Atkeh, visited the site to oversee the initial investigation.

Interior Minister Anas Khatab wrote on X: "Condolences to the families of the innocent victims in the terrorist bombing that targeted St Elias Church in Damascus. Specialised teams in the ministry have begun investigations to determine the circumstances of this heinous crime."

He added that such terrorist acts would not stop the Syrian state's efforts to achieve civil peace nor deter Syrians from choosing unity against those seeking to tamper with their stability and security.

Culture Minister Mohammad Yassin Saleh expressed deep sorrow for the victims, stating: "Innocent souls lost unjustly, and no words are sufficient to mourn them. There is no place for hatred amongst us, and we remain one people in the face of terrorism and sedition."

The minister said the only beneficiary of this cowardly terrorist act is those parties that do not want Syria's stability - the same parties hurt by the fall of the former regime.

Damascus Governor confirmed that security agencies are working at full capacity to uncover the incident's circumstances and pursue the perpetrators to bring them to justice.