In brief
In central Damascus, two explosive devices went off as security forces began to defuse them, reportedly near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying. The devices, one in a parked car and the other in a bin, caused 18 injuries and significant smoke and fire damage. Syrian police and the interior ministry are investigating, while the president’s visit is continuing safely. The blasts reflect ongoing security challenges as Syria attempts to re-enter the global community.
Two explosive devices detonated in central Damascus on Tuesday morning, striking near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying. 18 people were injured, according to Syrian state media.
The State News Agency Sana reported that security forces detected two devices: one placed inside a parked vehicle and another concealed in a bin. Policing units began a defusing operation when the bombs detonated.
Macron remained at the Four Seasons hotel and was not affected by the blasts, according to French officials. He has said the incident underscores Syria’s resilience and the country's path towards security and reconstruction.
Police officers and traffic police received injuries, we are told by the agency, and the interior ministry has launched an investigation into who may have carried out the attack. The explosions come amid increasing concerns over militant groups, including the Islamic State, targeting government sites across Syria.
With Macron’s visit continuing, he will travel to Turkey and attend the upcoming NATO summit. The incident highlights the broader security challenges that the new Syrian administration faces in a country that has endured a prolonged decade‑long civil war.
