Syria's Interior Ministry says the sleeper cell behind a deadly church explosion near Damascus belonged to the Islamic State group.

DAMASCUS (Reuters) -Syrian Christians were struggling on Monday to understand why their community was targeted in a suicide attack and whether they can rely on the Islamist-led government's assurances of protection.

[Damascus] At least 25 civilians were killed and dozens wounded Saturday evening when a suicide bomber attacked St. Elias Church in the Dwel’a neighborhood of Damascus during a crowded mass. The bombing, one of the deadliest in the Syrian capital in recent years, has raised new concerns about security in areas once considered relatively stable.