Explosions rock Damascus near Macron’s hotel as he meets Syrian Ahmad al-Sharaa; 4 injuries | Today’s news
Two explosions rocked the Syrian capital Damascus on Tuesday, even as French President Emmanuel Macron met his Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Sharaa on a high-profile visit, injuring at least four people, PTI reported, citing Syrian state media.
According to the report, Macron entered the presidential palace to meet al-Sharaa when the explosions occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel, where the French president was reportedly staying. Syrian authorities did not immediately comment on the incident. The French president’s office, as quoted by PTI, said that Macron was safe and that his meeting with al-Sharaa was continuing without interruption.
Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa came to power, and the visit comes ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey, which he is expected to attend next. He arrived in Syria on Monday evening with an economic delegation and was expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with al-Sharaa as the war-torn country seeks to attract foreign investment. He also played a significant role in pushing Europe and the United States to lift most sanctions on Syria, the report said.
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Blasts caused by explosive devices, security official says
Citing an unnamed security official, state television said the two explosions in the heart of the capital were caused by explosives, one planted in a garbage can and the other in a parked car. Four people were injured, including several police officers, and no deaths were immediately reported, according to the report. An investigation was underway at the scene.
A plume of smoke could be seen rising from the site, which lies on a busy street near the headquarters of the Ministry of Tourism and the National Museum in Damascus. Images shared widely on social media showed a van and motorcycle on fire along with bloodstains on the street, PTI reported. No group has yet claimed responsibility.
The incident comes days after an explosive device detonated in a cafe near the Palace of Justice in Damascus, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 20.
The new explosions spell defeat for al-Sharaa, who seized power after leading the uprising that toppled Bashar al-Assad in 2024. Since then, he has sought to consolidate control and stabilize the war-torn country, reassure minority communities fearful of his Islamist-led rule, and win over Western governments once skeptical of his former Tahrair-Qaaeda-aligned former Tahamir-aligned leadership. group. His administration has promised sweeping political and economic reforms after decades of autocratic rule, PTI noted.
While Syria’s new leadership has grappled with sporadic violence involving various armed groups as it seeks to assert authority nationwide, the capital has remained largely peaceful during the transition period.
The report goes on to say that the nearly decade-and-a-half-long conflict in Syria has killed nearly half a million people and displaced millions more. Despite promises of massive investment from other nations and businesses, the country still needs hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild its infrastructure and lift millions out of poverty. Before arriving at the presidential palace, Macron met with members of Syrian civil society, although further details were not released. PTI reported.
