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.

A blast rocked the Mar Elias Church in the Dweila neighbourhood of Syria's capital, Damascus, on Sunday, according to witnesses. One witness told Reuters news agency a suicide bomber detonated himself inside the church.

The interior ministry says a man affiliated with IS entered a church and opened fire before blowing himself up.