Explosions rock Damascus, wounding 4, as French President Macron visits Syria
✓Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, right, meets French President Emmanuel Macron at the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria on Tuesday. Ghaith Alsayed/AP hide caption
toggle caption
Ghaith Alsayed/AP
DAMASCUS, Syria — Explosions rocked Damascus on Tuesday as France's president met with his Syrian counterpart in a landmark visit, wounding at least four people according to Syrian state media.
Emmanuel Macron had entered the presidential palace to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa when the explosions happened near the Four Seasons Hotel. Syrian authorities did not immediately comment on the incident.
Syrian media reported that Macron was staying at the Four Seasons. The French president's office said he was safe and that his meeting with al-Sharaa was continuing. Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa came to power and his visit comes before he heads to a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Macron played a major role in pushing Europe and the United States to drop most sanctions on Syria. He arrived in the country Monday night with an economic delegation, and is scheduled to sign memorandums of understanding with his counterpart as the battered country tries to lure investors to help it rebuild after 14 years of war.
State television, citing an unnamed security official, reported that the two blasts in the heart of the capital were caused by explosive devices, one placed in a garbage bin and the other in a parked car. The report added that four people were wounded including several police officers, and no deaths were immediately reported. An investigation is currently taking place at the scene of the attack.
A large plume of smoke could be seen from the site. The area is on a busy street in Damascus and is near the headquarters of the Tourism Ministry and the Damascus National Museum.
Footage widely circulated on social media showed a van and a motorcycle on fire and blood stains on the street.
There were no immediate reports of casualties. No group immediately claimed responsibility.
The incident comes days after an explosive device was detonated in a cafe near the Justice Palace in Damascus, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 20.
The explosions are a blow for al-Sharaa, who came to power after leading an insurgency that ousted Bashar Assad in 2024.
He has since pushed to assert full control and bring stability in war-torn Syria, appeal to minorities skeptical of his Islamist-led rule, and win the support of Western governments who were skeptical of his past leadership of the former al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group. His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule.
While Syria's new rulers have wrestled with violence involving different groups in the country as they work to assert control, the capital has largely been peaceful during the turbulent period.
The conflict in Syria killed nearly half a million people and displaced millions. Syria's infrastructure lies in ruins, and while other nations and businesses have made large investment pledges, the country still needs hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild and lift millions out of poverty.
Before arriving at the presidential palace, Macron met with members of Syrian civil society, though his office did not give details on who.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · NPR ↗
Two explosions occurred in Damascus on Tuesday near the Four Seasons Hotel during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. Syrian state media reported at least four people were wounded, including several police officers. Authorities identified the devices as placed in a garbage bin and a parked car. Macron's office confirmed he was safe and his meeting with al-Sharaa continued. The incident took place in a busy commercial area near government buildings. No deaths were immediately reported and no group claimed responsibility. This follows a café bombing in Damascus days earlier. Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa assumed power in 2024 following the ouster of Bashar Assad; he is promoting investment and economic engagement as Syria seeks reconstruction support.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · NPR ↗
Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, right, meets French President Emmanuel Macron at the presidential palace in Damascus, Syria on Tuesday. Ghaith Alsayed/AP hide caption
toggle caption
Ghaith Alsayed/AP
DAMASCUS, Syria — Explosions rocked Damascus on Tuesday as France's president met with his Syrian counterpart in a landmark visit, wounding at least four people according to Syrian state media.
Emmanuel Macron had entered the presidential palace to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa when the explosions happened near the Four Seasons Hotel. Syrian authorities did not immediately comment on the incident.
Syrian media reported that Macron was staying at the Four Seasons. The French president's office said he was safe and that his meeting with al-Sharaa was continuing. Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa came to power and his visit comes before he heads to a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
Macron played a major role in pushing Europe and the United States to drop most sanctions on Syria. He arrived in the country Monday night with an economic delegation, and is scheduled to sign memorandums of understanding with his counterpart as the battered country tries to lure investors to help it rebuild after 14 years of war.
State television, citing an unnamed security official, reported that the two blasts in the heart of the capital were caused by explosive devices, one placed in a garbage bin and the other in a parked car. The report added that four people were wounded including several police officers, and no deaths were immediately reported. An investigation is currently taking place at the scene of the attack.
A large plume of smoke could be seen from the site. The area is on a busy street in Damascus and is near the headquarters of the Tourism Ministry and the Damascus National Museum.
Footage widely circulated on social media showed a van and a motorcycle on fire and blood stains on the street.
There were no immediate reports of casualties. No group immediately claimed responsibility.
The incident comes days after an explosive device was detonated in a cafe near the Justice Palace in Damascus, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 20.
The explosions are a blow for al-Sharaa, who came to power after leading an insurgency that ousted Bashar Assad in 2024.
He has since pushed to assert full control and bring stability in war-torn Syria, appeal to minorities skeptical of his Islamist-led rule, and win the support of Western governments who were skeptical of his past leadership of the former al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group. His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule.
While Syria's new rulers have wrestled with violence involving different groups in the country as they work to assert control, the capital has largely been peaceful during the turbulent period.
The conflict in Syria killed nearly half a million people and displaced millions. Syria's infrastructure lies in ruins, and while other nations and businesses have made large investment pledges, the country still needs hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild and lift millions out of poverty.
Before arriving at the presidential palace, Macron met with members of Syrian civil society, though his office did not give details on who.
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · NPR ↗
Two explosions rocked Damascus on Tuesday near the Four Seasons Hotel At least four people were wounded including several police officers Syrian authorities reported the devices were placed in a garbage bin and a parked car Emmanuel Macron was in the presidential palace meeting Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa when the explosions occurred Macron's office stated he was safe and the meeting continued No deaths were immediately reported and no group claimed responsibility A similar bombing at a Damascus café days earlier killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 20 Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since Ahmad al-Sharaa came to power in 2024 Macron came to Syria with an economic delegation to promote investment and has pushed for sanctions relief The explosions are a blow for al-Sharaa's efforts to establish stability and attract Western support The incidents highlight ongoing security challenges as Syria's new leadership works to assert control
Read the full story at Al Jazeera ↗ · NPR ↗
- Two explosions detonated in central Damascus during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, wounding at least four people including police officers
- Syrian authorities reported the blasts were caused by explosive devices placed in a garbage bin and a parked car near the Four Seasons Hotel
- Macron, the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa came to power in 2024, remained safe and continued his meeting with the Syrian president
- The incident follows another bombing days earlier at a Damascus café that killed at least 10 people, highlighting ongoing security challenges in the capital
- Macron arrived with an economic delegation to promote investment and sanctions relief for Syria's post-war reconstruction