Update: funeral in Syria saved from bomb attack

Another bomb attack has been foiled in Syria. Please continue to pray for our brothers and sisters as they hold on to faith in these troubling times.

Praise God that another bomb attack in Syria has been foiled – this time as mourners gathered at the Syriac Orthodox Archdiocese in Aleppo for a funeral.

At 10.30am yesterday (13 May), following a time of prayer, a car from the funeral company drove into the churchyard to take the coffin to the cemetery. When someone noticed something strange fall from the bottom of the car, closer inspection revealed it to be a bomb.

The crowd were terrified and ran for their lives as they called the police. Experts arrived quickly and confirmed that the object was a real, handmade bomb.

• How can you help Christians in Syria?

“We thank God that the bomb fell off before it exploded,” said a person who was inside the church. “If it had gone off while we were all inside, it would have been a massacre. We are lucky to be alive.”

This latest thwarted attack has echoes of last year’s devastating attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus, when 300 people gathered to remember a much-loved member of the congregation. At least 22 people were killed.

These dangers are why your prayers and support continue to be vital in helping strengthen what remains – not just in Syria, but across the Middle East.

Please pray

• Praise God for the diligence and skill of those involved in foiling this attack, and pray that those responsible for planning it will be brought to justice
• For a complete end to all threats and planned attacks, and that the security forces will effectively confront the dangers facing Christians in Syria
• For the safety of our family as they attend church, that God will take away their fear, and that all churches will be places of peace and safety.

13 April 2025

Another bomb attack foiled in Syria

Over the weekend (11-12 April), the Syrian authorities successfully prevented the detonation of a bomb near the Mariamite Cathedral of Damascus, a Greek Orthodox church in the Bab Touma neighbourhood of old Damascus. A woman was arrested when she was found planting a bomb in front of the house of a Jewish religious figure, according to news sources. Later, four men were also detained. None were injured in the incident.  

The Syrian government has reported that the group is linked to Hezbollah, whilst Hezbollah itself has denied any associations, stating that ‘it conducts no activity in the country’.  

The foiled attack recalls those from the beginning of the year, further instilling fear and uncertainty in the hearts of citizens in Syria, especially Christians. Since last year’s World Watch List, Syria has jumped by 12 places and is now at number six in this year’s ranking. 

• Why is persecution increasing in Syria?

Please continue to pray for the church and vulnerable communities across the nation as they face ongoing insecurity.

6 January 2026

New Year’s Eve church attack foiled in Syria

An attack on a church in Aleppo, Syria, was foiled on New Year’s Eve by security services. However, a soldier was killed in the incident, which will likely exacerbate the fears of many Syrian Christians going into the new year.

According to Open Doors sources, security forces noticed a man acting suspiciously around a church close to Farhat Square. As they sought to stop him, the man started shooting and detonated a bomb belt, killing himself and a soldier, and wounding two others.  

Heightened security 

The sources and several news agencies report that the man was part of so-called Islamic State (IS). It’s believed that IS, or groups linked to IS, wanted to carry out attacks on churches and public gatherings during celebrations for the new year. Although IS don’t rule parts of Syria as they did some ten years ago, groups with links to them are still present. 

• Why is Syria number six on the World Watch List?

According to AFP, a press agency, the Interior Ministry said intelligence indicated that IS militants were preparing ‘suicide operations and attacks targeting New Year’s celebrations in a number of governorates, particularly the city of Aleppo, by targeting churches and civilian gathering spots.’  

It meant that heightened security measures were already in place around churches and other places of worship. At the time of the incident in Aleppo, no churches were gathered for a service or event. 

Several local church leaders attended the funeral of the soldier who died to show their respects. 

Threats and thwarted attacks 

The incident comes six months after 22 Christians were killed when a suicide bomber attacked Saint Elias church in Dweila, Damascus. The authorities later stated that the bomber belonged to IS or an affiliate of the group.  

Four weeks later, the authorities said they had prevented another church attack in the Tartous area by arresting three suspected terrorists. In November, threatening messages were left at two churches, one in Maared Saidnaya and the other in Damascus.  

This latest incident has underlined the fear felt by many Christians in Syria. Please keep them, and the country, in your prayers.