German Development Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan has condemned the attack on Christian worshippers in Syria.

“This cowardly act is an attack on Syria’s social diversity,” the minister said in Berlin, one day after at least 22 people were killed in a Damascus church in a suicide bombing attributed to the Islamic State terrorist group.

Germany’s Development Ministry is supporting the reconstruction and social cohesion of Syria, Mr Alabali-Radovan said.

“This work is more important than ever. Reconstruction must lead to rapid results to remove the breeding ground for radicals,” said Mr Alabali-Radovan.

A further 59 people were injured in the explosion in the St Elias Church, the SANA state news agency reported, citing the Syrian Health Ministry.

The ministry has attributed the attack to the Islamic State.

The predominantly Christian neighbourhood, where the attack occurred is home to several churches besides St Elias, a Greek Orthodox church.

This was the first attack targeting Christians in Damascus since the fall of Syria’s long-time ruler, Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown by an Islamist-led rebel alliance commanded by current interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa in December. 

(dpa/NAN)