Syria blasts: 18 injured near Macron's hotel during Damascus visit

Twin explosions rocked the Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday, injuring at least 18 people, as French President Emmanuel Macron was on a landmark visit to the country. The blasts occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron had been staying, and close to the Ministry of Tourism and the Damascus National Museum. Macron himself was reportedly en route to a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace and was unharmed, with his office confirming he did not hear the explosions. Syria's Interior Ministry reported that one explosive device was found in a garbage bin and the other in a parked car. Of the injured, four were police officers, and while no deaths were immediately reported, the nature of the injuries varied. Footage circulating on social media depicted a van and a motorcycle on fire, along with bloodstains on the street. This incident marks the second attack in Damascus in less than a week, following a bombing at a cafe near the Justice Palace on Thursday that killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 20. The explosions represent a significant challenge to President Ahmed al-Sharaa's government, which is working to assert control and rebuild the country after the ouster of Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. Macron's visit itself is historic, marking the first by a major Western leader to Syria since al-Sharaa came to power. He arrived in Damascus with an economic delegation, aiming to foster bilateral relations and discuss French investment in Syria's reconstruction. During his visit, Macron and al-Sharaa announced agreements to reappoint ambassadors, signaling a restoration of diplomatic ties after more than a decade. France had previously closed its embassy in 2012 but symbolically reopened it in early 2025. Macron, who has played a role in advocating for the lifting of sanctions on Syria, emphasized France's commitment to the Syrian people and a sovereign, peaceful Syria. Despite the attacks, the French president confirmed his visit would continue as scheduled. The Syrian government views Macron's visit and the potential for increased French investment as a crucial boost for its efforts to rebuild the nation, which has been devastated by a 14-year uprising and civil war. Several Arab countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and Iraq, condemned the explosions, expressing solidarity with Syria and rejecting terrorism. However, no group immediately claimed responsibility for the explosions. The visit is part of Syria's ongoing geopolitical transformation under al-Sharaa's leadership, aiming to revive the country's international standing and economic potential. France's engagement signifies a shift in international relations, as many Western governments had previously expressed concerns about al-Sharaa's past leadership of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group. The agreements signed during the visit, including the return of illicit assets and infrastructure rebuilding projects, aim to solidify these new ties and support Syria's recovery.

Frequently Asked Questions

Read Full Story on Quick Digest