Attempted bombing at Melkite Greek Catholic Church of Saint George in rural Daramsuq (Damascus) averted, investigation underway

BLOUDAN, Syria — In the early hours of Sunday morning, unidentified individuals attempted to bomb the Melkite Greek Catholic Church of Saint George in the mountain town of Bloudan, near Daramsuq (Damascus). The assailants reportedly poured gasoline inside the church and planted two hand grenades, but the planned explosion failed when the fuel did not ignite. The incident resulted in only minor material damage.

Father Semaan Ayoub, the parish priest, recounted that he arrived at the church early to prepare for morning Mass and detected a strange smell, initially attributing it to recent maintenance work. Upon discovering the gasoline and grenades, he contacted security forces immediately.

The General Security Directorate responded swiftly, removing the explosives and launching an official investigation. “Divine providence prevented a disaster,” Father Ayoub said, expressing relief that the church and its congregation had been spared serious harm. He also confirmed that surveillance cameras would be installed to enhance security.

While the Melkite Greek Catholic Church has yet to release an official statement, the civil society council in nearby Zabadani strongly condemned the attempted attack. In their statement, they described the incident as a “criminal attempt” and asserted that an assault on a house of worship is an affront to the entire community. They urged authorities to conduct a thorough investigation and enhance security at religious sites across the region.

The Church of Saint George, a historic symbol of Syria’s cultural and religious heritage, is located in a town celebrated for its diverse religious makeup and historic architecture. The failed attack has sparked renewed concerns over the vulnerability of sacred and historical landmarks amid ongoing security challenges.

In the wake of Syria’s post-conflict recovery, incidents targeting religious and cultural icons — such as this church and, previously, the tomb of the philosopher al-Ma’arri — highlight the urgent need to protect the nation’s pluralistic and historic legacy.