BREAKING: At least 9 dead, 13 injured after suicide bomber blows himself up in Damascus church
Gunman opens fire before detonating explosive vest inside Mar Elias Church; officials investigating suspected terror attack.
A deadly attack struck the Mar Elias Church in eastern Damascus today, after a man reportedly opened fire on congregants before detonating a suicide vest inside the building.
According to a Syrian news agency, ambulances are evacuating dead and wounded from the scene of the explosion, and security forces of the Islamist regime have set up checkpoints in the area. According to some reports, there are at least ten dead (although some say it's as many as twenty five) and twenty injured in the attack. No group has claimed responsibility, but there are suspicions that it was an Islamic State terror attack.
Syrian authorities and emergency responders are currently at the scene, with security forces cordoning off the area.
The bombing marks one of the most significant attacks on a Christian site in the capital in recent years.
UPDATE:
Syrian Health Ministry confirmed death toll after deadly attack at Mar Elias Church: 9 dead, and 13 injured. Security forces have been deployed to secure the area.
There are reports that as many as 25 people were murdered in this vicious attack, with 80 hospitalized, 30 of whom are in critical condition.