Syrian Authorities Arrest Suspects in Deadly Church Attack
On Monday, Syrian Home Minister Anas Hattab announced the capture of several individuals involved in the recent attack on a church in Damascus.
The Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias was targeted by gunfire and suicide bombers on Sunday, resulting in at least 25 injuries and numerous deaths.
Hattab mentioned that government forces conducted raids on locations connected to an Islamic State cell in the outskirts of Damascus. While officials have not made formal claims of responsibility, they uniformly attribute the attack to ISIS.
The Home Office indicated that the assault led to the arrest of suspected leaders of the terrorist cell and the detention of five members. Additionally, two attackers were killed during the incident. One was reportedly a key figure in organizing suicide bombings at churches, while the other was poised to launch another attack elsewhere in the capital.
Authorities recovered a cache of weapons, including suicide vests and explosive devices, during the operation linked to the attack.
“Such heinous acts only strengthen our determination to pursue those undermining our country’s security,” said a spokesperson. There’s an ongoing commitment to tackling the terrorist threat, they added.
The church bombing presents a significant obstacle for the emerging Syrian government. Led by individuals previously affiliated with al-Qaeda and ISIS, this administration aims to rebrand itself as a patriotic force that embraces all religious and ethnic groups in the wake of a prolonged civil war.
President Donald Trump has expressed support for this new government, describing leader Ahmed Alshara as a “young and appealing figure” with a “strong background,” while also implementing sanctions against Syria.
Trump’s faith in Alshara hinges on the latter’s ability to establish stable governance. The recent church bombing’s aftermath is being closely observed as an indicator of the government’s resolve.
The Syrian Human Rights Observatory, based in London, warned that the bombing has heightened concerns about the fragile coexistence of different sects in Damascus.
The Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), part of the US coalition against both ISIS and the Assad regime during the civil conflict, labeled the attack as a “coordinated terrorist act” targeting all Syrians striving for freedom and peace.
“Terrorism threatens all Syrians and is an enemy of the authentic social fabric of Syria,” the SDF stated, emphasizing a somewhat cautious stance toward relations with the Damascus government, which has pledged to collaborate in the fight against terrorism across the country.
