Jihadist Group Claims Responsibility for Damascus Church Attack

The fringe jihadist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunna has claimed responsibility for Sunday's suicide attack on the Greek Orthodox Church of Prophet Elias in Damascus. The attack resulted in the death of at least 25 people and the injury of 63 others.

The group, also known as the Brigade of Supporters of Sunnis, stated in a social media post that the attack was in retaliation for the "provocations of Christians in Damascus" and threatened further attacks. Saraya Ansar al-Sunna has a history of threatening Christians, Alawites, Druze, and Shiites.

Initially, the Syrian government attributed the attack to the Islamic State (ISIS) and proceeded with arrests of suspects. Interior Minister Anas Khattab stated that an operation was conducted against "core locations of the terrorist organization Islamic State" and pledged that the perpetrators would be brought to justice.

Saraya Ansar al-Sunna rejected the government's claim as "false and fabricated." The group stated that it had claimed responsibility for an attack in the village of Arzeh in the Hama province in February and has targeted members affiliated with the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Syria's transitional president, Ahmad al-Sara, pledged that "those responsible for the heinous attack on the church will be punished."