DAMASCUS: At least 22 people were killed and more than 50 injured when a suicide bomber blew himself up at the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood of Syria鈥檚 capital Damascus on Sunday, security sources said.

The incident marks the first suicide bombing inside Damascus since Bashar Assad was toppled in December.

Syria鈥檚 interior ministry said the suicide bomber was a member of Daesh. He entered the church, opened fire and then detonated his explosive vest, the ministry added in a statement.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said two men were involved in the attack, including the one who blew himself up.

Syria鈥檚 state news agency had previously cited the health ministry as putting the preliminary casualty toll at nine dead and 13 injured.

A livestream from the site by Syria鈥檚 civil defense, the White Helmets, showed scenes of destruction from within the church, including a bloodied floor and shattered church pews and masonry.

Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa, who led the offensive against Assad before taking over in January for a transitional phase, has repeatedly said he will protect minorities during his tenure.

The Syrian foreign ministry said the attack was an attempt to undermine coexistence in the multi-sectarian, multi-ethnic country. Syria considers "this criminal act, which targeted members of the Christian community, a desperate attempt to undermine national coexistence and to destabilise the country", the foreign ministry said in a statement.

Turkiye鈥檚 foreign ministry said the 鈥渢reacherous鈥� attack in Damascus aimed to disrupt efforts to achieve stability and security in Syria.
鈥淥ur belief is full that the Syrian administration and its people will maintain their unity and solidarity, and continue with determination the battle with terrorist organization wanting to create chaos in the country,鈥� the ministry said in a statement, adding Turkiye would continue supporting Syria.

United Nations Special Envoy for Syria Geir O. Pedersen 鈥渃ondemned in the strongest possible terms鈥� the attack, according to a statement.

He expressed his 鈥渙utrage鈥� at what he called a 鈥渉einous crime.鈥�

The statement said Pedersen took note that the Syrian interim authorities attributed this attack to Daesh and called for a full investigation and action by the authorities.

Pedersen called on all to unite in 鈥渞ejecting terrorism, extremism, incitement and the targeting of any community in Syria.鈥� 

He sent his deepest condolences to the families of the victims and his hope for the recovery of those injured.

* With AFP