The tranquility of Damascus was shattered over a week ago by a devastating suicide bombing at a church, leaving the city in mourning and raising numerous questions about the perpetrators.
The attack claimed the lives of at least 25 individuals, while responsibility for this gruesome act remains a topic of intense debate and speculation.
Following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s secular regime to the al-Qaeda affiliated HTS last year, concerns about the fate of Syria’s Christian minority grew. Despite these fears, the new Islamist-led government has promised to uphold religious tolerance and diversity.
In response to the bombing, the government quickly pointed fingers at an Islamic State cell, announcing the arrest of its members. However, the Islamic State has neither confirmed nor denied their involvement in the incident.
Emerging from the shadows, a new Islamist faction, the Brigade of Supporters of the Sunnis, claimed responsibility for the attack via Telegram. This group, allegedly a splinter from HTS, has reportedly rekindled connections with the Islamic State, asserting that the assault was retribution for local interference with their religious broadcasts near the church.
A different perspective comes from the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, which suggests insider involvement. According to reliable sources, one of the injured at the scene is said to be a perpetrator linked to the Syrian Ministry of Defence, with indications that the bomber was associated with Syrian security forces.
The complexity of the Syrian conflict continues to unfold. Just in March, the nation experienced significant sectarian bloodshed with the massacre of hundreds of Alawites. The origins of this violence, whether orchestrated by the government or due to its lack of control over armed factions, remain unresolved.
Matthew Barnes, a spokesperson for Open Doors in the Middle East, commented, “For the government it would be very shameful if indeed a member of its own ranks was the attacker. For them it would be best if an organisation like Islamic State committed this terror attack, especially because almost everyone in the world considers IS a terrorist organisation.”
He further added, “Christians are shocked and scared after what happened in Damascus. Open Doors calls for prayer for the church in Syria. Pray for peace of heart and for protection in the weeks to come.”
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
