According to witnesses, an explosion has rocked the Mar Elias church in the Douayla district of the Syrian capital Damascus. At least 15 people were killed in the blast, two security sources told Reuters.

One witness claimed a suicide bomber blew himself up inside the church.

Syria's interior ministry said a member of the Islamic State group was behind the attack.

"A suicide bomber linked to the Daesh (Islamic State) terrorist group entered the Mar Elias church, opened fire, then blew himself up with an explosives belt," the ministry said.

The Syrian Civil Defense said the attack killed "more than 15 people and there are several wounded, according to the preliminary casualty count." | BGNES