At least 22 people died and 63 others were wounded in the terror attack on a Greek Orthodox church in Dweil'a on the outskirts of Damascus, state media reported.

According to the Syrian Interior Ministry, the attacker was affiliated with the Islamic State, also known as ISIS, but no group has officially claimed responsibility.

About 350 people were inside the Mar Elias Church for a prayer meeting when a man entered the sanctuary and began shooting.

When the crowd rushed the attacker, he detonated an explosive belt.

Photos and video from inside the church reveal a horrific scene—blood splattered on concrete floors, splintered pews, and broken glass.

Witness Lawrence Maamari told news agency AFP that "someone entered (the church) from outside carrying a weapon" and began shooting.

People "tried to stop him before he blew himself up," he added.

Another witness standing outside the church told the outlet he heard gunfire and then an explosion.

"We saw fire in the church and the remains of wooden benches thrown all the way to the entrance," he said.

A security source, speaking on condition of anonymity to Reuters, said two men were involved in the attack.

Issam Nasr who was praying at the church told AP saw people "blown to bits."

"We have never held a knife in our lives. All we ever carried were our prayers," he said.

The Greek Foreign Ministry not only condemned the attack but called on the government to do more to protect its citizens.

"We unequivocally condemn the abhorrent terrorist suicide bombing at the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus, Syria," it said in a statement.

"We demand that the Syrian transitional authorities take immediate action to hold those involved accountable and implement measures to guarantee the safety of Christian communities and all religious groups, allowing them to live without fear," the ministry added.

Syria's interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has repeatedly promised to protect religious and ethnic minorities since seizing power from Assad and taking office in January. However, the country's leaders say ISIS is looking to destabilize the region during its crucial transitional phase.

Syrian Information Minister Hamza Mostafa condemned the attack, calling it a terrorist attack.

"This cowardly act goes against the civic values that bring us together," he said on X. "We will not back down from our commitment to equal citizenship ... and we also affirm the state's pledge to exert all its efforts to combat criminal organizations and to protect society from all attacks threatening its safety."

As CBN News has reported, ISIS has repeatedly targeted Christians and other religious minorities in Syria.

The attack on the church was the first of its kind in the nation in years, but there have always been concerns about the extremist group's sleeper cells especially since its once far-reaching authority has dwindled.

The terror group's territory once stretched across 34,000 sq miles from western Syria to eastern Iraq and they imposed its brutal rule on almost eight million people, according to the BBC.

In a February report, the UN Office of Counter-Terrorism warned that the group would take advantage of the transition in Syria to ramp up its terrorist attacks and renew its recruiting efforts for foreign fighters.

"There is a risk that stockpiles of advanced weapons could fall into the hands of terrorists," said Under-Secretary-General Vladimir Voronkov, head of the counter-terrorism office. Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Talia Wise has served as a multi-media producer for CBNNews.com, CBN Newswatch, The Prayer Link, and CBN News social media outlets.

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

President Trump Posts a Couple Christian, Prophetic Videos on His Truth Social Account

Mount Rushmore's Independence Day Fireworks Are Back

Young Families Flock to Red States as Blue States Lose Children, Data Shows

Study: Trans Shooters Commit 'Disproportionate Shares of Mass Public and Active Shooting Attacks'

Karoline Leavitt Busts Democrats' 'Huge Myth' that SAVE America Act Hurts Married Women's Ability to Vote [Video]

Daycares Under Microscope as Prosecutors Stamp Out Fraud after Minnesota Firestorm

The Fate of Iran's National Women's Football Team Took a Deceptive Turn at the Last Minute; What Will Happen to Them?

US Strikes 16 Iranian Mine-Laying Boats Near Strait of Hormuz: Pentagon [Video]

ICE Houston Announces Arrests of over 400 Illegal Immigrants Charged With or Convicted of Child Sex Offenses in 2025

4 Ways Christians Can Pray for the Situation in Iran

New Media Network Combats Anti-American Spin by Featuring Veterans, Law Enforcement

South Dakota Supreme Court Rules 'Transgender' Individuals Can't Change Birth Certificates

Evil: Oregon Democrats Block Bill Requiring Medical Care for Babies Born Alive after Abortions

Oil Prices Dip as Trump Says Iran Conflict Is 'Ahead of Schedule'

3-Hour Airport Security Lines, TSA Working Without Pay during Democrat Gov Shutdown

Democrats Slammed for Shutting Down DHS amid Terrorism Threats

Nation on High Alert after NYC Attack, as Suspects Aligned with Islamic State; Meanwhile Dems Continue Shutdown of Homeland Security

Evangelical Leaders Return to Oval Office to Pray over Trump

Terrorists Transformed into Evangelists: YWAM Reports Powerful Stories of Redemption in Nigeria

Jesse Jackson's Democrat Son CALLS OUT Obama, Biden, and Clinton for Politicizing His Father's Funeral: They 'Do Not Know Jesse Jackson'