Ukraine: attaque massive de drones sur Kiev

Une “attaque massive” de drones russes lundi à Kiev a fait au moins quatre blessés, selon les autorités de la capitale ukrainienne où de fortes détonations se faisaient entendre, après que l’Ukraine a promis d’intensifier ses frappes sur la Russie.”Encore une attaque massive contre la capitale. Possiblement, plusieurs vagues de drones ennemis”, a écrit sur Telegram le chef de l’administration de Kiev, Timour Tkatchenko “Deux blessés ont été hospitalisés dans le district de Solomianski”, a précisé le maire de Kiev, Vitali Klitschko.Deux autres blessés ont été signalés près d’une sortie de métro, où des personnes s’abritaient, dans le district de Sviatochinski, dans l’ouest de la capitale, a déclaré plus tard M. Tkatchenko.Les autorités militaires ont indiqué que la défense aérienne a été activée et averti de la menace de missiles.Des journalistes de l’AFP dans la capitale ont entendu des vrombissements de drones en vol et une série de détonations.Dans un abri situé au sous-sol d’un immeuble résidentiel du centre de Kiev, ces journalistes ont vu une dizaine de personnes qui attendaient la fin de l’attaque assises sur des chaises ou des bancs, la plupart d’entre elles scrutant leur téléphone à la recherche d’informations. Une femme et son enfant dormaient dans des lits pliants apportés à l’avance dans l’abri.- Cratère -A la suite d’une attaque dans le district de Desnianski, “un cratère est apparu dans la cour d’un immeuble résidentiel”, a décrit M. Taktchenko, tandis que le maire de la capitale a fait état d’incendies dans un autre quartier.Les villes ukrainiennes sont ciblées chaque nuit par des frappes russes, à un moment où les pourparlers en vue d’un cessez-le-feu sont dans l’impasse.Au moins 28 personnes avaient été tuées et plus de 130 blessées à Kiev dans la nuit du 16 au 17 juin lors d’une attaque russe menée à l’aide de plus de 440 drones et 32 missiles, selon les autorités ukrainiennes.Dans la région de Rostov, dans le sud de la Russie, une attaque de drones ukrainiens lundi a “provoqué un incendie dans une entreprise industrielle dans le district de Kamenski”, a indiqué le gouverneur régional Iouri Slioussar sur Telegram.Le commandant en chef des armées ukrainiennes, Oleksandr Syrsky, a assuré samedi que l’Ukraine allait intensifier ses frappes contre des cibles militaires russes en profondeur en Russie, trois semaines après une attaque spectaculaire contre des bases aériennes reculées dans ce pays.En août 2024, l’armée ukrainienne avait attaqué par surprise la région frontalière russe de Koursk, s’emparant de centaines de kilomètres carrés avant d’en être délogée au printemps par les forces russes soutenues par un contingent nord-coréen.Oleksandr Syrsky a, lui, assuré que l’Ukraine détenait toujours 90 kilomètres carrés dans cette région. “Ce sont nos actions préventives en réponse à une possible offensive ennemie,” a-t-il dit.Moscou occupe actuellement environ un cinquième de l’Ukraine et a déjà revendiqué l’annexion de quatre régions ukrainiennes, en plus de la péninsule de Crimée, qu’elle a envahie en 2014.La Russie avait déclaré en avril avoir pris le contrôle total de la région de Koursk et nie que Kiev y ait maintenu une présence.Par la suite, Moscou a lancé des attaques dans la région ukrainienne voisine de Soumy, s’emparant de plusieurs localités et disant vouloir y constituer une zone tampon.Le président russe Vladimir Poutine a dit la semaine dernière ne pas exclure la prise de la ville de Soumy, la capitale régionale, alors que Kiev accuse Moscou de saboter délibérément un accord de paix afin de saisir plus de territoires.Sur le plan diplomatique, Kiev a apporté son soutien dimanche aux frappes des Etats-Unis et d’Israël contre des sites nucléaires en Iran, estimant qu’il s’agissait d’une conséquence “des actions agressives” des autorités iraniennes.La diplomatie ukrainienne a par ailleurs affirmé que l’Iran était “complice” de l’invasion russe de l’Ukraine et fournissait une “assistance militaire” à Moscou, notamment des drones utilisés pour bombarder le territoire ukrainien.

Iran threatens US bases in response to strikes on nuclear sites

Iran on Sunday threatened US bases in the Middle East after massive air strikes that Washington said had destroyed Tehran’s nuclear program, though some officials cautioned that the extent of damage was unclear.With aerial assaults between Iran and Israel raging — including fresh strikes by Israel on what it said were military targets in Iran — the US State Department issued a worldwide caution alert for its citizens traveling or living abroad.International concern focused on fears that the unprecedented US attacks would deepen conflict in the volatile region after Israel launched a bombing campaign against Iran earlier this month.Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said bases used by US forces could be attacked in retaliation.”Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,” he said in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency.”America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences.”In a sign of possible nervousness about a wider war, oil prices jumped by more than four percent at one point in early trading in Asia.President Donald Trump urged Iran to end the conflict after he launched surprise strikes on a key underground uranium enrichment site at Fordo, along with nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz.”We had a spectacular military success yesterday, taking the ‘bomb’ right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!)” he said on social media.And while the US president did not directly advocate regime change in the Islamic republic, he openly played with the idea — even after his aides stressed that was not a goal of American intervention.”It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “But if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Pentagon press briefing earlier that Iran’s nuclear program had been “devastated,” adding the operation “did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people.”Standing beside Hegseth, top US general Dan Caine said that while it would be “way too early” for him to determine the level of destruction, “initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction.”Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said his country’s military strikes will “finish” once the stated objectives of destroying Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities have been achieved.”We are very, very close to completing them,” he told reporters.- Tehran protests -As Iran’s leaders struck defiant tones, President Masoud Pezeshkian also vowed that the United States would “receive a response” to the attacks.People gathered Sunday in central Tehran to protest against US and Israeli attacks, waving flags and chanting slogans.In the province of Semnan east of the capital, 46-year-old housewife Samireh told AFP she was “truly shocked” by the strikes.”Semnan province is very far from the nuclear facilities targeted, but I’m very concerned for the people who live near,” she said.In an address to the nation hours after the attack, Trump claimed success for the operation, and Vice President JD Vance followed up Sunday morning.”We know that we set the Iranian nuclear program back substantially last night,” Vance told ABC.But he also suggested Iran still had its highly enriched uranium.”We’re going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel,” he said. “They no longer have the capacity to turn that stockpile of highly enriched uranium to weapons-grade uranium.”Another Khamenei advisor, Ali Shamkhani, said in a post on X that “even if nuclear sites are destroyed, game isn’t over, enriched materials, indigenous knowledge, political will remain.”Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that craters were visible at the Fordo facility, but no one had been able to assess the underground damage.- Retaliation risk -The main US strike group was seven B-2 Spirit bombers that flew 18 hours from the American mainland to Iran.In response to the attack, which used over a dozen massive “bunker buster” bombs, Iran’s armed forces targeted sites in Israel including Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, with at least 23 people wounded.Nine members of the Revolutionary Guards were killed Sunday in Israeli attacks on central Iran, local media reported, while three people were killed after an ambulance was also struck.Israeli strikes on Iran have killed more than 400 people so far, Iran’s health ministry said. Iran’s attacks on Israel have killed 24 people, according to official figures.The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, which had been mediating Iran-US nuclear talks, criticized the US strikes and called for de-escalation, while France, Germany and Britain called on Tehran “not to take any further action that could destabilize the region.”Late Sunday the US State Department issued a “worldwide caution” for Americans, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those traveling or living abroad at an increased security risk.”There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad,” the security alert said. “The Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.”burs-wd/mlm/bjt

Iran threatens US bases in response to strikes on nuclear sites

Iran on Sunday threatened US bases in the Middle East after massive air strikes that Washington said had destroyed Tehran’s nuclear program, though some officials cautioned that the extent of damage was unclear.With aerial assaults between Iran and Israel raging — including fresh strikes by Israel on what it said were military targets in Iran — the US State Department issued a worldwide caution alert for its citizens traveling or living abroad.International concern focused on fears that the unprecedented US attacks would deepen conflict in the volatile region after Israel launched a bombing campaign against Iran earlier this month.Ali Akbar Velayati, an advisor to Iran’s supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said bases used by US forces could be attacked in retaliation.”Any country in the region or elsewhere that is used by American forces to strike Iran will be considered a legitimate target for our armed forces,” he said in a message carried by the official IRNA news agency.”America has attacked the heart of the Islamic world and must await irreparable consequences.”In a sign of possible nervousness about a wider war, oil prices jumped by more than four percent at one point in early trading in Asia.President Donald Trump urged Iran to end the conflict after he launched surprise strikes on a key underground uranium enrichment site at Fordo, along with nuclear facilities in Isfahan and Natanz.”We had a spectacular military success yesterday, taking the ‘bomb’ right out of their hands (and they would use it if they could!)” he said on social media.And while the US president did not directly advocate regime change in the Islamic republic, he openly played with the idea — even after his aides stressed that was not a goal of American intervention.”It’s not politically correct to use the term, ‘Regime Change,’ Trump posted on his Truth Social platform. “But if the current Iranian Regime is unable to MAKE IRAN GREAT AGAIN, why wouldn’t there be a Regime change??? MIGA!!!”Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told a Pentagon press briefing earlier that Iran’s nuclear program had been “devastated,” adding the operation “did not target Iranian troops or the Iranian people.”Standing beside Hegseth, top US general Dan Caine said that while it would be “way too early” for him to determine the level of destruction, “initial battle damage assessments indicate that all three sites sustained extremely severe damage and destruction.”Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu meanwhile said his country’s military strikes will “finish” once the stated objectives of destroying Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities have been achieved.”We are very, very close to completing them,” he told reporters.- Tehran protests -As Iran’s leaders struck defiant tones, President Masoud Pezeshkian also vowed that the United States would “receive a response” to the attacks.People gathered Sunday in central Tehran to protest against US and Israeli attacks, waving flags and chanting slogans.In the province of Semnan east of the capital, 46-year-old housewife Samireh told AFP she was “truly shocked” by the strikes.”Semnan province is very far from the nuclear facilities targeted, but I’m very concerned for the people who live near,” she said.In an address to the nation hours after the attack, Trump claimed success for the operation, and Vice President JD Vance followed up Sunday morning.”We know that we set the Iranian nuclear program back substantially last night,” Vance told ABC.But he also suggested Iran still had its highly enriched uranium.”We’re going to work in the coming weeks to ensure that we do something with that fuel,” he said. “They no longer have the capacity to turn that stockpile of highly enriched uranium to weapons-grade uranium.”Another Khamenei advisor, Ali Shamkhani, said in a post on X that “even if nuclear sites are destroyed, game isn’t over, enriched materials, indigenous knowledge, political will remain.”Rafael Grossi, director of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), told an emergency meeting of the UN Security Council that craters were visible at the Fordo facility, but no one had been able to assess the underground damage.- Retaliation risk -The main US strike group was seven B-2 Spirit bombers that flew 18 hours from the American mainland to Iran.In response to the attack, which used over a dozen massive “bunker buster” bombs, Iran’s armed forces targeted sites in Israel including Ben Gurion airport near Tel Aviv, with at least 23 people wounded.Nine members of the Revolutionary Guards were killed Sunday in Israeli attacks on central Iran, local media reported, while three people were killed after an ambulance was also struck.Israeli strikes on Iran have killed more than 400 people so far, Iran’s health ministry said. Iran’s attacks on Israel have killed 24 people, according to official figures.The United Arab Emirates, Qatar and Oman, which had been mediating Iran-US nuclear talks, criticized the US strikes and called for de-escalation, while France, Germany and Britain called on Tehran “not to take any further action that could destabilize the region.”Late Sunday the US State Department issued a “worldwide caution” for Americans, saying the conflict in the Middle East could put those traveling or living abroad at an increased security risk.”There is the potential for demonstrations against US citizens and interests abroad,” the security alert said. “The Department of State advises US citizens worldwide to exercise increased caution.”burs-wd/mlm/bjt

Suicide attack on Damascus church kills at least 22

A shooting and suicide bombing at a Damascus church during a packed service on Sunday killed at least 22 people, authorities said, blaming a member of the Islamic State group for the unprecedented attack. The international community condemned the attack, the first of its kind in the Syrian capital since Islamist-led forces toppled longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in December.It was also the first inside a church in Syria since the country’s civil war erupted in 2011, according to a monitor.Security remains one of the greatest challenges for Syria’s new authorities, with the international community repeatedly urging them to protect minorities.AFP correspondents saw first responders transporting people from the Orthodox church as security forces cordoned off the area.The church itself was strewn with wood from fittings and pews, with fallen icons and pools of blood on the floor.”A suicide attacker affiliated with the Daesh (IS) terrorist group entered the Saint Elias church in the Dwelaa area… opened fire then blew himself up with an explosive belt,” an interior ministry statement said.State news agency SANA, citing the ministry of health, reported a death toll of 22, with 63 injured.Lawrence Maamari who was inside the church when the attack happened told AFP a man had entered and begun shooting. People “tried to stop him before he blew himself up”, he added.Ziad Helou, 40, who was at a shop nearby, said he heard gunfire then an explosion, and saw glass flying.”We saw fire in the church and the remains of wooden benches thrown all the way to the entrance,” he said.- ‘Heinous crime’ -The blast sparked panic and fear in the church, which had been full of worshippers, including children and the elderly, eyewitnesses said. Families were still searching desperately for missing loved ones.The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said it was the first suicide attack inside a church in Syria since war erupted in 2011. Other churches had been damaged or seen attacks in their vicinity during the conflict, but none had been so directly targeted.The Orthodox patriarchate in Damascus called on “the authorities to bear full responsibility for what has happened and is happening concerning the violation of the sanctity of churches, and to ensure the protection of all citizens”.Syria’s Christian community has shrunk from around one million before the war to under 300,000 due to waves of displacement and emigration.The United Nations special envoy for Syria Geir Pedersen expressed “outrage at this heinous crime”, calling for a full investigation.US special envoy Tom Barrack said Washington supported Syria “as it fights against those who are seeking to create instability and fear in their country and the broader region”.Turkey, which is close to the new authorities, expressed confidence that Syrians would stay united in “their fight against terrorist organisations that seek to sow chaos in the country”. France’s foreign ministry restated its commitment to “a transition in Syria that allows Syrians, whatever their religion, to live in peace and security in a free, united, pluralistic, prosperous, stable and sovereign” country.Egypt’s Al-Azhar, Sunni Islam’s prestigious seat of learning, called it a “blatant assault on the right to life” and worship.- Investigation -Syria’s foreign ministry described the attack as “a desperate attempt to undermine national coexistence and to destabilise the country”.Assad had portrayed himself as a protector of minorities, who during Syria’s nearly 14-year civil war were targeted by numerous attacks — many of them claimed by jihadist groups including IS.Since the new authorities took power, the international community has urged the government to protect minorities and ensure their participation in Syria’s transition, particularly after sectarian violence in recent months.Interior Minister Anas Khattab said that specialised teams had begun investigating.”These terrorist acts will not stop the efforts of the Syrian state in achieving civil peace,” Khattab said according to a statement.In an interview earlier this month, Khattab said that IS had shifted “to studied attacks on strategic targets” and had attempted “to carry out attacks against the Christian and Shiite community” that the authorities had thwarted.Last month, IS claimed its first attack on Syria’s new government forces. Authorities said they had arrested members of an IS cell near Damascus, accusing them of preparing attacks.IS seized large swathes of Syrian and Iraqi territory in the early years of the civil war, declaring a cross-border “caliphate” in 2014 before being territorially defeated in 2019.burs-lar/lg/tc/lb

Tesla launches long-discussed robotaxi service

Tesla began offering robotaxi services Sunday in the US city of Austin, Texas, an initial step that Elon Musk’s backers believe could lead to the company’s next growth wave.”Super congratulations to the @Tesla_AI software & chip design teams on a successful @Robotaxi launch!!” Musk posted on the X platform that he owns. “Culmination of a decade of hard work.”The kickoff — which comes as Musk refocuses on his business ventures following a contentious stint in Donald Trump’s administration — will employ the Model Y sport utility vehicle rather than Tesla’s much-touted Cybercab, which is still under development.The long-awaited launch follows the dramatic meltdown earlier this month in relations between the US president and the world’s richest person, which saw a cascade of bitter attacks from both men.Since then, Musk has publicly expressed regret for some of his statements, while his company’s Texas operation has readied the Austin push — part of a major drive on autonomous technology and artificial intelligence that Tesla believes will yield huge profits.Wedbush analyst Daniel Ives said autonomous technology could be a catalyst for potentially $1 trillion or more in additional market value.”There are countless skeptics of the Tesla robotaxi vision with many bears thinking this day would never come,” said Ives, who predicted Trump’s administration would clear roadblocks for Tesla and pivot from the recent “soap opera.”- Business-friendly Texas -One of the robotaxi’s self-described first users was Tesla fan Herbert Ong, who livestreamed his ride Sunday in a red vehicle that included a person in the passenger seat monitoring the trip for operational safety.The unveiling in the Texas state capital comes amid questions about how Tesla will try to overcome criticism of Musk’s activities for Trump. Tesla saw profits plunge 71 percent in the first quarter following poor sales in several markets.In picking Austin for the debut of the autonomous vehicle (AV) service, Musk is opting for a US state known for its business-friendly approach to regulation.”Texas law allows for AV testing and operations on Texas roadways as long as they meet the same safety and insurance requirements as every other vehicle on the road,” the Texas Department of Transportation told AFP.The Texas legislature this year passed a bill requiring prior authorization from the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles before companies can operate on a public street without human drivers, a group of Democratic lawmakers said in a June 18 letter to Tesla.Citing the enhanced system, the lawmakers asked Tesla to delay testing until after the law takes effect on September 1.The lawmakers asked for “detailed information demonstrating that Tesla will be compliant with the new law” should the company choose to proceed.- Starting slow -Musk had initially planned the launch for June 12, before pushing back, saying he was being “super paranoid” about safety.”We want to deliberately take it slow,” Musk said May 20 on CNBC, telling the network that Tesla would probably only operate 10 autonomous vehicles the first week.But that number will rise to perhaps 1,000 “within a few months,” Musk added. “And then we will expand to other cities… San Francisco, Los Angeles, San Antonio.”The service will be offered from 6:00 am until midnight and will be available to “early access” users on an invitation-only basis in a geofenced area, Sawyer Merritt, who owns a Tesla, said Friday on X.He added that the company had given him permission to release the information.Musk last fall unveiled the Cybercab, which has no steering wheel or pedals. Its production is not expected to begin until 2026.Tesla’s robotaxi launch comes well after Waymo’s offering of commercial robotaxi service.The US National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in October 2024 opened a probe into Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software after receiving four reports of crashes.Last month the agency asked Tesla for additional information on its technology in light of the Austin launch.But the NHTSA told AFP it does not “pre-approve” new technologies.”Rather, manufacturers certify that each vehicle meets NHTSA’s rigorous safety standards,” it said.

Mondial des clubs: le Real fait corps et donne une leçon de réalisme à Pachuca

Serrer les dents, puis les montrer: réduit à dix pendant quasiment tout le match, le Real Madrid a fait le dos rond et donné une leçon de réalisme à Pachuca (3-1) dimanche, montrant enfin un meilleur visage au Mondial des clubs. Grâce à ce succès, les Merengues prennent la tête du groupe H avec le même nombre de points (4) mais une meilleure différence de but générale que Salzbourg, tenu en échec par Al Hilal (2 pts).Sous une chaleur étouffante (35 degrés) à Charlotte, dès les premières minutes de la rencontre, on était pourtant en droit de se demander comment les Madrilènes tiendraient le coup physiquement après l’exclusion précoce de Raul Asencio (7e), après une faute sur Salomon Rondon en position de dernier défenseur, juste en dehors de la surface.Le coup franc n’a rien donné mais la perspective d’une rude bataille s’est faite plus grande sans l’Espagnol, déjà coupable du penalty égalisateur d’Al Hilal mercredi et qui passe totalement à côté de son tournoi.Alors c’est mentalement, déjà mû par le devoir de gagner et d’en faire plus qu’au décevant premier match, que le Real a su faire corps et punir l’équipe mexicaine quand les occasions se sont présentées.”Notre force de caractère a été mise à l’épreuve, nous avons dû faire face à la tempête, car ils ont eu beaucoup d’occasions. Mais quand nous avons eu nos occasions, nous avons fait preuve de lucidité. Ce n’est pas parfait, mais c’est une bonne victoire”, a résumé Bellingham.C’est lui, qui a d’ailleurs ouvert le score, d’un tir croisé du gauche, au bout d’une superbe contre-attaque menée par Gonzalo Garcia et Fran Garcia en passeur décisif (35e). Positionné en soutien des attaquants, l’Anglais, désigné joueur du match, a souvent joué juste dans la transition.Puis par Arda Güler, préféré à Rodrygo dans le onze-type en l’absence de Kylian Mbappé insuffisamment remis de sa gastro-entérite aiguë, a doublé le score, parfaitement servi dans la surface par Gonzalo Garcia (43e).- Injure raciste contre Rudiger ? -Et voilà comment à la pause le Real s’est mis à l’abri, après avoir plusieurs fois tangué pourtant face aux initiatives de Pachuca. Il l’a surtout dû à son gardien Thibaut Courtois, impeccable sur sa ligne pour repousser des frappes de John Kennedy puis Alan Bautista (20e) ou encore de Salomon Rondon (40e).Au final le gardien belge a réussi dix arrêts et Jude Bellingham n’a pas manqué en rendant hommage à son gardien belge: “il a été brillant et il a montré pourquoi il est le meilleur au monde”.Sous les yeux des 70.248 spectateurs ayant rempli le Bank Arena Stadium, le Real abondamment encouragé a enfoncé le clou en seconde période avec un troisième but de Federico Valverde qui a été, en bon capitaine et jamais avare d’efforts dans l’entre-jeu, le symbole de la grinta madrilène.La réduction du score des Mexicains, par Elias Montiel dont le tir légèrement dévié par un Madrilène a pris le gardien belge à contre-pied, a été anecdotique (80e). L’accrochage en toute fin de rencontre entre Antonio Rudiger et Gustavo Cabral beaucoup moins, puisque le défenseur allemand, très en colère, a accusé le Mexicain d’injure raciste. “Nous soutenons Toni et nous verrons ce qui se passera. Je pense que le protocole de la Fifa a été activé, une enquête va être menée. Si cela s’est produit, toutes les mesures doivent être prises, parce que c’est inacceptable”, a réagi Xabi Alonso.L’entraîneur madrilène, qui a “retenu beaucoup de choses positives” de cette rencontre aura notamment apprécié le jeu rapide en contre-attaque déployé par son équipe, qui semble avoir trouvé des automatismes prometteurs sur le plan offensif.

Syrie: 22 morts dans un attentat dans une église, les autorités désignent l’EI

Un attentat suicide a fait au moins 22 morts dimanche dans une église chrétienne de Damas, selon les autorités syriennes, qui ont accusé un membre du groupe jihadiste Etat islamique d’en être l’auteur.Les Nations Unies comme nombre de pays, des Etats-Unis à la France, ont condamné cette attaque, la première de ce type dans la capitale syrienne depuis que des forces dirigées par des islamistes radicaux ont renversé l’ex-président Bachar al-Assad le 8 décembre 2024.La sécurité reste l’un des plus grands défis pour les nouvelles autorités syriennes, que la communauté internationale a appelées à protéger les minorités et à les inclure dans le processus de transition.Le ministère de l’Intérieur a affirmé qu’un “assaillant suicide affilié au groupe terroriste Daech est entré dans l’église Saint-Elie, dans le quartier de Dwelaa à Damas, a ouvert le feu et s’est fait exploser avec une ceinture explosive”.Devant l’église, Umm George, en larmes, cherche son fils, qui faisait partie des fidèles quand l’homme armé est entré. “Mon fils priait dans cette église”, dit-elle. “J’ai essayé de l’appeler mais son téléphone portable est hors service et je n’ai pas réussi à le trouver”.- “Plus jamais entendre sa voix” -“J’ai peur de ne plus jamais entendre sa voix”, souffle-t-elle.Des correspondants de l’AFP ont vu les secouristes évacuer des fidèles de l’église, où des débris de bois et des icônes étaient éparpillés au sol, couvert de sang.Selon un nouveau bilan du ministère de la Santé, cité par l’agence de presse Sana, l’attentat a fait 22 morts et 63 blessés.Un témoin, Lawrence Maamari, a déclaré à l’AFP que “quelqu’un est entré dans l’église avec une arme” et a commencé à tirer. Puis des fidèles “ont essayé de l’arrêter avant qu’il ne se fasse exploser”.L’émissaire de l’ONU pour la Syrie, Geir Pedersen, a exprimé “son indignation” et appelé les autorités à mener une enquête approfondie.La France a condamné un “attentat terroriste abject” et rappelé “son engagement en faveur d’une transition en Syrie qui permette aux Syriens et aux Syriennes, quelle que soit leur confession, de vivre en paix et en sécurité dans une Syrie libre, unie, plurielle, prospère, stable et souveraine”.L’émissaire américain pour la Syrie, Tom Barrack, a dénoncé “un acte de lâcheté” qui n’a pas sa place “dans la nouvelle société de tolérance et d’inclusion que les Syriens sont en train de tisser”.La diplomatie turque, proche des nouvelles autorités syriennes, a dénoncé une “attaque perfide” visant à “semer le chaos”.- “Saper la coexistence” -Pour le ministère syrien des Affaires étrangères, “cet acte criminel qui a pris pour cible des fidèles chrétiens est une tentative désespérée de saper la coexistence nationale et de déstabiliser le pays”.Mais le patriarcat orthodoxe de Damas a exhorté les nouvelles autorités islamistes à “assumer l’entière responsabilité” de l’attentat, les pressant d’assurer “l’inviolabilité des églises et la protection de tous les ressortissants” du pays.Un homme de 40 ans, prénommé Ziad, qui se trouvait dans un magasin en face de l’église, a déclaré avoir entendu des coups de feu puis une explosion. “Nous avons vu du feu dans l’église et des morceaux de bancs en bois projetés jusqu’à l’entrée”, a-t-il ajouté.L’explosion a provoqué la panique dans l’église remplie de fidèles, parmi lesquels des enfants et des personnes âgées, selon un témoin.Pour le ministre de l’Intérieur Anas Khattab, “ces actes terroristes n’arrêteront pas les efforts de l’Etat syrien pour parvenir à la paix civile”.M. Khattab avait déclaré récemment que le groupe EI avait opté pour “des attaques précises contre des cibles stratégiques” et annoncé que des tentatives d’attentat du groupe jihadiste sunnite contre les communautés chrétienne et musulmane chiite avaient été déjouées.En mai, il avait revendiqué sa première attaque contre les nouvelles forces gouvernementales syriennes.Ces dernières avaient alors dit avoir arrêté des membres d’une cellule de l’EI près de Damas, accusés de préparer des attaques, tandis qu’une autre opération à Alep, dans le Nord, s’était soldée par la mort d’un agent de sécurité et de trois membres de l’organisation jihadiste.Le groupe Etat islamique avait pris le contrôle de vastes pans des territoires syrien et irakien au début de la guerre civile, qui a éclaté en 2011, proclamant la création d’un “califat” transfrontalier en 2014.Les forces kurdes syriennes soutenues par les Etats-Unis l’ont vaincu en 2019, mais les jihadistes ont maintenu une présence, en particulier dans le vaste désert syrien.