French president denounces deadly church attack in Syria

LONDON

French President Emmanuel Macron on Monday denounced the "despicable attack" targeting the Mar Ilyas Church in Damascus, expressing support for Syrian people in their fight against terrorism.

"Despicable attack at the Saint Elijah Church in Damascus. I express our solidarity with the bereaved families and the injured," Macron said on X.

A suicide bomber from the ISIS (Daesh) terror group opened fire Sunday inside the church in the east of Damascus before blowing himself up, killing at least 20 people and injuring 52 others, said the Syrian Health Ministry.

"France supports the Syrian people in their fight against terrorism and for the return of peace," added Macron.

The incident comes just weeks after Syria's Interior Ministry announced the uncovering of ISIS cells in rural Damascus on May 26. During the raid, authorities said they seized light- and medium-sized weapons.

Since the fall of the Assad regime, Syria’s security services have continued to pursue individuals accused of involvement in crimes, human rights violations, and terrorism-related activities.

Bashar Assad, Syria’s leader for nearly 25 years, fled to Russia in December, ending the Baath Party’s regime, which had been in power since 1963.