Syrian Church Target of Terrorist Attack

BREAKING: Christian Church Bombed in Damascus by Islamic State

A terrorist attack yesterday in Damascus bombed a Greek Orthodox Christian Church. At least 25 worshippers were killed and dozens more were wounded.

This is the deadliest attack on Christians since President Ahmed al-Sharaa came to power. Ever since he and his Islamist militants overthrew the Assad regime, Christians and other minorities have face an onslaught of violent persecution.

It is important to note this is not the first attack on Christians and their churches in recent months, but it is the deadliest.

It is a known fact President Ahmed al-Sharaa fought with Al Qaeda and more recently with ISIS. For his Islamic State actors to conduct this attack means two things: either the President knew of its planning and permitted it to proceed, or he has no control of his own political allies and his country.

Sadly, history tells us this will not be the last attack on Syria’s vulnerable Christian minorities.

As Rev. El Shafie wrote last month, western countries embracing the new Syrian President are making a grave mistake.

This attack is a wake up call for international sanctions to be restored on Syria until conditions to improve the rule of law and protect the human rights of all Syrians are established.

The international community needs to respond and could even go so far as to create safe zones within Syrian to help both stabilize the country and realize the improvements needed