Two explosions in central Damascus injured 18 people, including four police officers, while French President Emmanuel Macron was visiting Syria. The incidents, which occurred during field operations to defuse improvised explosive devices, did not pose a threat to Macron’s visit or his residence. One explosive device was found in a parked vehicle, and the other in a roadside garbage container near the tourism authorities’ building.
Interior chief Anas Khattab stated that the first blast happened at 10:15 a.m. local time, followed by a second explosion eight minutes later. Most of the injured were security personnel, with four individuals undergoing surgery for more severe wounds. Macron’s motorcade was approximately 10 km away from the blast site at the time.
Authorities confirmed that the explosions took place outside the designated security perimeter for Macron’s residence and did not directly endanger his visit, which proceeded as planned. Special units conducted searches in the area, finding no additional explosive devices. Some roads remained closed as security forces continued search operations, analyzed surveillance footage, and investigated the vehicle used in the attack.
Shortly after the explosions, Syrian state media reported that interim Syrian leader Ahmad al-Sharaa met with Macron at the People’s Palace in Damascus for discussions on bilateral relations and regional developments. The visit, the first by a French president to Syria since 2009, included a Syrian-French business forum where joint economic committees were launched, and agreements were signed in various sectors such as ports, aviation, energy, and healthcare.
