At least 18 people were injured on Tuesday after two explosions struck central Damascus near the venue where French President Emmanuel Macron was holding high-level meetings during his historic visit to Syria, authorities have confirmed.
The blasts occurred close to the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron had earlier met representatives of Syrian civil society before proceeding to the presidential palace for talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
According to Syria’s state news agency, the explosions injured 18 people, including four police officers. Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene to evacuate the wounded, extinguish fires and secure the area as thick black smoke billowed above nearby buildings.
Eyewitnesses said the first explosion happened shortly after Macron’s motorcade departed for the presidential palace. A second blast reportedly occurred minutes later near an ambulance responding to the initial incident, triggering panic as residents and emergency personnel fled the area.
Syrian security forces immediately cordoned off surrounding roads and launched investigations to identify those behind the attack. Authorities said no group had claimed responsibility as of the time of filing this report.
The French presidency confirmed that Macron neither heard the explosions nor experienced any disruption during his journey. The French leader continued with his scheduled engagements, holding discussions with President al-Sharaa and other senior Syrian officials.
Macron’s visit is the first by the leader of a major European Union country since rebels led by al-Sharaa overthrew former Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2024. The trip is widely seen as a significant diplomatic gesture aimed at supporting Syria’s political transition and encouraging greater international engagement as the country seeks to rebuild after more than a decade of conflict.
The attack, however, underscores the fragile security situation that continues to confront Syria despite recent political developments.
Only last week, a bomb explosion at a café in Damascus killed nine people and injured 20 others. No group claimed responsibility for that attack.
The extremist group Islamic State has, however, claimed responsibility for several recent attacks targeting Syrian government forces, highlighting the persistent security threats facing the new administration as it works to restore stability and implement an inclusive political transition.