Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba said the government suspects ISIS bombed a Greek Orthodox church just outside of Damascus on Sunday.

“A suicide attacker affiliated with the Daesh (IS) terrorist group entered the Saint Elias church in the Dweila area of the capital Damascus where he opened fire, then blew himself up with an explosive belt,” according to the Interior Ministry.

The bombing killed at least 22 people and injured 63.

From Fox News:

At least 22 people were killed, and 63 others were injured in the attack that took place at the Mar Elias Church in Dweil’a, located on the outskirts of Damascus. It reportedly began while people were praying. The perpetrator first opened fire on the worshipers, before detonating himself.

While no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, Syrian Interior Ministry spokesman Noureddine Al-Baba suggested ISIS as a likely culprit following a preliminary investigation.

“The security of places of worship is a red line,” Al-Baba said further, castigating ISIS and what remains of the former government of Ba’athist dictator Bashar al-Assad as actors trying to destabilize Syria.

Meletius Shahati, one of the priests, said a second gunman “shot at the church door before the other person detonated himself.”

The bombing is the first attack in Syria in years.

The new Islamic government, led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa, has tried to “strengthen ties with minority communities.”

The government has shown concern over terrorist sleeper cells in Syria, eager to take advantage of the uncertainty of the country shedding decades of control of the Bashar family.

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