At least 18 people were injured after two bomb explosions struck central Damascus on Tuesday near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron had been staying, casting a shadow over his historic visit to Syria.
The blasts occurred close to the Four Seasons Hotel, shortly after Macron departed for the presidential palace to meet Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. French officials confirmed the visit would continue despite the attack.
According to AFP journalists on the scene, at least one explosion echoed across the Syrian capital before a plume of smoke rose near the hotel. Security forces quickly sealed off surrounding roads while ambulances rushed to the area to assist the injured.
A Syrian security source told AFP that one explosive device had been hidden inside a dumpster, while another was placed in a nearby vehicle close to the hotel.
Syrian state media reported that 18 people were wounded, including four police officers. There were no immediate reports of fatalities, and no group had claimed responsibility for the attacks at the time of reporting.
Security Tightened Around Blast Site
An AFP photographer near Syria’s Ministry of Tourism, opposite the Four Seasons Hotel, reported damaged windows and a heavy deployment of security personnel following the explosions.
Witnesses described scenes of confusion immediately after the blasts.
“I saw three traffic police officers injured on the ground before the area was evacuated and the roads leading to it were closed,” Hamam Hammoud, a 37-year-old employee at a money exchange company, told AFP.
Authorities cordoned off the affected area as investigators began examining the blast sites.
Macron Presses Ahead with Syria Visit
The explosions occurred moments before Syrian state television announced Macron’s arrival at the presidential palace for talks with President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
France’s Élysée Palace said the French president would continue with his planned engagements despite the security incident.
Macron is in Syria to discuss the country’s post-war reconstruction, encourage national reconciliation and reaffirm France’s support for a unified and pluralistic Syria after years of conflict.
During the visit, he is expected to hold talks with Syrian officials, civil society representatives and business leaders involved in rebuilding the country’s economy.
Historic Visit After Assad’s Fall
Macron’s trip marks the first visit by a Western European leader to Syria since the overthrow of former President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.
Because of security concerns, French authorities delayed publicly announcing the date of the visit until Macron’s aircraft had safely landed in Damascus on Monday.
Following his meeting with President al-Sharaa, Macron is scheduled to participate in an economic forum focused on Syria’s reconstruction, infrastructure development and strategic transport corridors.
The French delegation includes several leading business executives, among them Rodolphe Saadé, chief executive of shipping company CMA CGM, and TotalEnergies Chief Executive Patrick Pouyanné.
The visit reflects France’s growing diplomatic engagement with Syria’s transitional authorities as international efforts continue to support the country’s political and economic recovery.
Damascus Remains on High Alert
Tuesday’s bomb attacks are the second major explosions reported in Damascus within a week.
Last Thursday, a bombing at a café in the Syrian capital killed 10 people, highlighting the persistent security challenges facing the country despite the end of large-scale fighting.
Although Syria’s civil war has largely subsided following years of conflict, authorities continue to confront security threats from extremist groups, armed factions and isolated acts of violence.
The country’s infrastructure and economy remain heavily damaged after more than a decade of war that claimed over half a million lives and displaced millions of people.
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France Seeks Role in Syria’s Reconstruction
France has increasingly signalled its willingness to support Syria’s reconstruction following the political transition that followed Assad’s removal from power.
In May 2025, President Macron welcomed President Ahmed al-Sharaa to Paris for his first official visit to a European country.
That diplomatic engagement was followed by al-Sharaa’s visit to Washington later in the year, where he met US President Donald Trump as part of broader international efforts to rebuild diplomatic relations with Syria.
Macron’s visit is widely viewed as another significant step in restoring ties between France and Syria while encouraging political stability, economic recovery and international investment in the country.
Despite Tuesday’s bomb attacks, French officials indicated that the president’s programme would proceed as planned, underscoring France’s commitment to continued engagement with Syria during its reconstruction process.
AFP