The Mar Elias Church attack in Damascus, which killed at least 25 people, has amplified concerns regarding the Syrian government's capability to secure stability and protect minority groups, particularly Christians. The violence, attributed to ISIL but later claimed by Saraya Ansar al-Sunna, marks the first assault on a church since the Assad regime's fall. Officials express worry about sectarian tensions and the potential for further attacks undermining national cohesion as the country seeks normalcy after years of conflict.
Sedition is happening, Hind Kabawat, Syria's Social and Labour Affairs minister, told Syria TV from a Damascus hospital, as she fought back tears. All Christians and Muslims and all Syrians need to be strong today. This is a big wound, and our pain is big.
It's very dangerous, Abu Hassan, a Damascus resident, told Al Jazeera by phone. He said that he was wary of more attacks taking place as part of an attempt to sow disunity between Syria's Christians and Muslims. [The attacks] won't disappear, he said. There will be more blood.
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