Syrian Interior Ministry releases photos of Mar Elias Church attackers PHOTO

The Syrian Interior Ministry has released photographs of members of a cell linked to the ISIS terrorist organisation and involved in the attack on the Mar Elias Church in the Ad-Duwaylaa district of Damascus.

The ministry stated that the suspects were arrested during an operation carried out by the Damascus Provincial Internal Security Directorate in coordination with the General Intelligence Directorate, Caliber.Az reports, citing Syrian media.

A representative of the Syrian Interior Ministry noted that a preliminary investigation revealed the terrorist cell was officially affiliated with ISIS and had no ties to any religious or local organizations.

The cell was reportedly led by a Syrian national named Mohammed Abdul-Ilah al-Jumaili, also known as "Abu Imad al-Jumaili," who was referred to within the organisation as the "Wali of the Desert." He was a resident of the al-Hajar al-Aswad area, south of Damascus.

On the evening of June 22, a suicide bomber attacked the Greek Orthodox Mar Elias Church in Ad-Duweila, a predominantly Christian neighborhood on the outskirts of Damascus. The incident occurred during a Sunday mass attended by around 350 worshippers.

According to eyewitnesses and the Syrian Interior Ministry, the attacker entered the church and began shooting at the congregation before detonating an explosive vest. Some witnesses also reported the presence of a second gunman, who fired on worshippers but did not detonate any explosives.

The powerful blast caused extensive damage—shattering pews, breaking stained glass windows, and leaving the altar and floor soaked in blood and debris.

The Syrian Health Ministry confirmed that at least 25 people were killed and 63 others wounded, including children. The attack marked the first major suicide bombing in the Syrian capital since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

By Khagan Isayev