Assailant Shoots Before Exploding Vest
Syria’s Interior Ministry said the attacker was a member of the so called  Islamic State. The attacker had opened fire in the church before blowing up his explosive vest, the report said. The explosion damaged the church from the inside, and there were many casualties.

First Major Assault Since Assad’s Toppling
The bombing is the most significant suicide assault in Damascus since Assad’s removal and has revived fears of further instability in the region. Followers received treatment as ambulances and other emergency services raced to the scene and security forces drafted suspect terrorists the attack to wider militant operations in Syria.

Authorities have denounced the attack and pledged to find those responsible in a country plagued by growing security threats following the fall of President Bashar al-Assad.