Ansar al-Sunna Claims Responsibility for Terrorist Attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus

ARK News.. A Syrian human rights source has revealed the identity of one of the individuals involved in the terrorist bombing that targeted Mar Elias Church in al- Duwail’a neighborhood of Damascus. The group Ansar al-Sunna claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement issued on Tuesday, June 24, 2025.

According to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, one of the perpetrators injured in the blast was transferred to al-Mujtahid Hospital, where he was later identified as an affiliate of the Syrian Ministry of Defense and a native of Deir Ez-Zour province.

Following the identification, security forces launched a raid campaign in the Damascus countryside, leading to the arrest of four individuals in the town of Zamalka in Eastern Ghouta. Investigations are ongoing, with emerging information suggesting potential involvement of personnel from the General Security Directorate in planning or facilitating the attack.

In a related development, Ansar al-Sunna released an official statement claiming responsibility for the bombing and naming the attacker as Mohammad Zain al-Abideen.

The statement claimed the attack was a response to alleged provocations targeting their religious mission and followers by Christians in Damascus—citing a previous incident in the same neighborhood involving a dispute with a preaching vehicle.

The group further threatened to carry out additional suicide attacks, declaring the readiness of its operatives and announcing what it called “the opening of the gate of repentance” for those who choose to act before it is “too late,” as phrased in the statement.

Ansar al-Sunna had previously threatened to target members of the Alawite community and first emerged in public discourse after claiming responsibility for an earlier attack on the village of Arza in rural Hama.

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