False Alarm: Man Killed Outside of Syrian Church Not a Parishioner, Diocese Says

Mar Taqla Church, Latakia, Syria. Photo: X

LATAKIA — On June 25, 2025, local media outlets in Latakia, Syria, reported that a young man had been killed outside of the city’s St. Thekla Church. A lack of clarification from security officials in the wake of the shooting left many wondering if yet another terrorist attack had targeted an Orthodox Church following the June 22, 2025, bombing at St. Elias Church in Damascus.

The young man who was killed was targeted by two individuals on a motorcycle, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights. Despite initial speculation that the victim was connected to the church in some way, with some even saying he was the church guard, the local Greek Orthodox Diocese of Latakia said that “the victim has no relations to the church and that the attack took place outside of the church,” according to reporting from syriahr.com. 

The incident took place amid normal street activity, and the identities and motives of the attackers remain unknown.

Previously, UOJ reported that the terrorist group Saraya Ansar al-Sunna (Brigade of Sunni Supporters) had claimed responsibility for the bombing in Damascus.

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