Who Stands to Gain from the Bombing of Mar Elias Church?

By Bassam Ishak | President of Syriac National Council of Syria (SSNC) and member of the Presidential Council of the Syrian Democratic Council (SDC) Mission in Washington, D.C.

The bombing of Mar Elias Church in Damascus was neither a random act nor merely a horrific crime against innocent worshippers. It was a message—deliberate and calculated. A message aimed at every Syrian Christian who, despite war, persecution, and displacement, still clings to the hope of a homeland for all. It said: “You are a target—because your vision for Syria is inclusive, your demand is for equal citizenship, and your commitment is to a civil, democratic state.”

So, who sent this message? And more importantly—who benefits from sowing chaos, breaking trust, and spreading fear?

1 – Iran and Its Cross-Border Project

Iran has no interest in seeing a new, independent Syrian authority emerge—especially one that is not under its control. It understands well that Syria’s Christians represent a sovereign, non-aligned voice. A community that does not compromise its freedom nor accept to be reduced to a client. By destabilizing areas where Christians live and instilling fear, Iran can send a powerful signal to the international community: “This new authority cannot protect its people. Let us return. Only we can guarantee security.”

2 – Extremist Groups and Their Backers

Extremist factions operating in Syria reject pluralism in all its forms. They seek to eliminate Christians, Druze, Alawites—and even Sunni Muslims who resist their ideology of takfir. These groups envision a totalitarian theocracy, with one identity, one dogma, and zero tolerance for dissent. For them, terrorism is not just a tool of murder—it is a political instrument. Bombings serve to terrorize, silence, and ultimately, drive minorities into exile.

3 – Remnants of the Former Regime

There are still those within Syria who believe the country can only be ruled through fear, and that power must be preserved by crushing hope. For them, the blood of innocents is a small price to pay to preserve their narrative: “Without us, there is only chaos.” They exploit pain to rehabilitate their image, painting themselves as the lesser evil—even as their own record is stained with brutality and destruction.

4 – Regional and International Powers That Prefer Syria Remain Broken

There are foreign actors—both regional and global—who profit from a fragmented Syria. To them, every step toward stability, reconciliation, or sovereignty threatens entrenched interests. They thrive on war, on power vacuums, and on divided societies. These actors see Syria’s Christian community as a principled voice, difficult to manipulate or silence. And so, they prefer that voice be broken early—before it can gain traction.

How Shall Damascus React

If Syria’s new governing body believes its strength today comes from foreign recognition, it must realize this support is conditional—and temporary. Legitimacy is not granted from abroad. It is earned at home. International backing may offer protection, but it cannot build trust. It cannot substitute for justice, nor heal the deep scars left by war, displacement, and betrayal.

If the Christian, Druze, Alawite, and Sunni citizens of Syria do not feel protected—if they are not treated as full and equal citizens—then no capital, be it Washington, Paris, Riyadh, Ankara, or Doha, will be able to build a viable Syrian state in their place.

Conclusion

The bombing of Mar Elias Church was more than a terrorist attack—it was an assault on the very idea of a shared Syrian future. It targeted not only a place of worship, but a vision: of a Syria where coexistence, equal citizenship, and dignity for all are possible.

Protecting Christians is not a luxury, nor a favor—it is today one of the clearest tests of the legitimacy of any authority claiming to represent a “new Syria.” The bombing of Mar Elias is the first real test. If the new leadership fails to protect Syria’s Christians, it will have failed the test of legitimacy. And that failure will not only hurt Christians—it will come at the cost of all Syrians.

We do not want this new Syria to fail. Because if it does, the price will be paid by everyone.

The views expressed in this op-ed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of SyriacPress.