Explosions in Syrian Capital During Presidential Visit

Two explosive devices detonated in Damascus, the capital of Syria, injuring at least eighteen individuals, including four police officers, according to reports from Syria’s Interior Ministry. The blasts coincided with a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, who was in the city for diplomatic discussions with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

The state news agency SANA reported that the explosions took place near the Ministry of Tourism and a hotel where Macron was scheduled to stay. Despite the proximity of the blasts, they did not disrupt the French president's visit, as confirmed by Macron’s office, which stated that the explosions occurred outside the designated security area and posed no direct threat to the presidential itinerary.

Security and Response

Authorities have responded by sealing off roads and initiating a thorough investigation into the incident. Preliminary assessments from the Interior Ministry suggest that the explosive devices were improvised. One device was reportedly placed inside a vehicle, while the other was hidden in a trash container.

Television footage depicted smoke billowing over the city, and images shared online, verified by Al Jazeera, showed a vehicle engulfed in flames. Despite heightened security measures for Macron's visit, this incident highlights ongoing vulnerabilities in Syria's security situation.

Context and Reactions

Al Jazeera’s correspondent, Obaida Hitto, noted that the blasts occurred amidst “unprecedented” security protocols, marking Macron’s visit as the first by a European leader to Damascus since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s government in 2024. The situation at the presidential palace remained calm despite the explosions.

A security official in Damascus described the act as criminal, emphasizing the bustling civilian presence in the affected area at the time of the explosions. Ismat al-Absi, a Damascus-based security expert, expressed uncertainty about the specific targets of the attacks but suggested that the intent was to instigate unrest and project a negative image of Syria's security conditions.

The recent blasts follow a deadly incident last week when an explosion at a central Damascus cafe resulted in at least ten fatalities and injured twenty others, as per the Ministry of Health. These events underscore ongoing security challenges in the region.

Diplomatic Relations

Macron’s visit to Syria underscores the evolving diplomatic relations between European nations and Syria. In May 2025, Macron hosted Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in France, marking al-Sharaa’s first official visit to a European country. Al-Sharaa's visit to Washington last year to meet with then US President Donald Trump further indicated Syria's re-engagement with the international community following the conflict-ridden years under Assad.

The explosions in Damascus serve as a stark reminder of the fragile security situation in Syria, even as the country attempts to stabilize and rebuild its international relations.

Source: Original Article