On Tuesday, explosions struck Syria’s capital, Damascus, injuring at least 18 people. This occurred amid a significant visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, who met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed the incident.
The attack marked the second in Damascus within a week, presenting a challenge for President al-Sharaa. He was hosting a prominent Western leader for the first time since Bashar Assad’s removal by insurgents in late 2024. Despite the violence, he seeks to establish his authority and has generally maintained peace in the capital.
Macron remained in the presidential palace during the explosions. An Elysee Palace official confirmed his safety, and the meeting proceeded. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria,Macron stated on X.
Macron, instrumental in urging the lifting of sanctions imposed under Assad, planned a joint news conference with al-Sharaa. He was also to visit Ankara, Turkey, for a NATO summit.
The explosion site, near the Four Seasons Hotel where Macron reportedly stayed, showed severe damage. Social media footage revealed burning vehicles and bloodstains near the Tourism Ministry and the Damascus National Museum. The Interior Ministry reported one bomb in a garbage bin and another in a car, injuring four police officers. No fatalities were initially reported.
Previously, a blast at a cafe near the Justice Palace killed at least ten and injured over twenty. Syria views Macron’s visit and the resulting agreements with France as a significant boost. Agreements include returning 51 million euros in illicit assets linked to Assad’s family, rebuilding Homs’ infrastructure, and enhancing the Damascus airport.
A Syrian foreign ministry official emphasized that the visit confirms Syria’s move toward new international partnerships. They stated those responsible for the attack would face justice and emphasized that such actions would not derail Syria’s progress.
Al-Sharaa’s government faces internal challenges. He aims to consolidate control, engage skeptical minorities, and win Western support, overcoming concerns due to his past with Islamist groups. The government promises reform post-Assad’s long autocratic rule.
The Syrian conflict has claimed nearly half a million lives, displacing millions. To rebuild, Syria requires significant investment, even as international and business pledges flow in. France’s involvement reflects a shift in Syria’s international relations.