A bomb attack at a church funeral in Aleppo has been foiled, amid escalating jihadist threats against Christians in Syria. 

An object fell from the underside of a hearse as it entered the grounds of St. Ephrem the Syrian Cathedral in Aleppo on Wednesday. A mourner spotted the item, prompting police to be called as people fled the area.

It was discovered to be a homemade bomb, which was removed from the scene by experts. Surveillance cameras confirmed it fell from the car, which was parked nearby overnight. 

One mourner told persecution watchdog Open Doors that they were "lucky to be alive” and believed “it would have been a massacre” if the bomb had detonated in the church. 

A statement from the Syrian Orthodox Archdiocese of Aleppo & Environs said: “We thank God first and foremost for his care and mercy, which prevented a disaster. We also thank the security forces for their swift and professional response to the incident.

“We pray for the security of the country and the safety of its people," the statement concluded. 

Syria returned to Open Doors’ World Watch List this year, of countries where it is most dangerous to be a Christian, after an escalation in violence against believers and attacks on churches.

The persecution watchdog said Islamic oppression has intensified, particularly from groups linked to the Islamic State. 

A deadly attack on Mar Elias Church in Damascus killed 22 people in June 2025. There have also been cases of threats painted onto churches, with Christians pressured to remove Christian symbols and to wear headscarves.