Quick Summary
Two explosions struck near the Four Seasons hotel in downtown Damascus on Tuesday, where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during a landmark state visit to Syria, injuring 18 people including four police officers. Syrian authorities say the bombs, planted in a car and a garbage can, detonated as security forces attempted to defuse them, and that the blast site sat outside the security perimeter protecting the French leader. Macron was not in his hotel at the time and reportedly didn’t even hear the explosions; his office says he continued his visit with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa as planned.
What Happened
Syria’s Interior Ministry, reporting through state outlet SANA, said the two improvised explosive devices went off Tuesday after security forces had already located them, while preparations for a controlled disposal were underway. Eighteen people were injured, including four police officers. The ministry emphasized that the explosion site was outside the security perimeter established for Macron’s stay, and stated it posed no direct threat to his residence or to the visit’s official program.
An Élysée Palace spokesperson confirmed Macron was away from the hotel when the bombs went off and was unaware of them at the time. Rather than address the explosions directly, Macron posted a statement on social media affirming his commitment to a sovereign, pluralistic Syria, and confirmed his visit would continue.
Background
Tuesday’s visit marked the first trip to Syria by the leader of a Western nation since Ahmed al-Sharaa took power in 2025 after the fall of longtime president Bashar al-Assad. Al-Sharaa’s rise has drawn scrutiny in the West given his past as a fighter with al-Qaeda, and some critics have accused leaders like President Trump, who hosted al-Sharaa at the White House in November, of normalizing ties with him too quickly.
Tuesday’s bombings were not an isolated incident. They mark the second and third major explosions in Damascus within less than a week: on July 2, an explosive device killed at least nine people at a Damascus café, an attack France’s government has already condemned as terrorism, though Syrian authorities have not yet attributed responsibility for either incident.
Why It Matters
The timing underscores the fragility of Syria’s postwar transition, even as al-Sharaa’s government works to present the country as stable enough to welcome major Western leaders. A bombing campaign unfolding on the very day a G7 head of state visits, regardless of who is behind it, signals that armed factions or holdout loyalists still have the capability to strike inside the capital, complicating al-Sharaa’s efforts to rebuild diplomatic legitimacy.
For France, the visit itself is significant: Macron is positioning himself as the first major Western leader to personally engage with Syria’s new government, a move that could shape how quickly other European nations follow with their own outreach.
Statistics & Context
- People injured in Tuesday’s twin blast: 18, including 4 police officers
- Number of major explosions in Damascus in less than a week: 3 (July 2 café bombing, plus Tuesday’s twin blasts)
- Deaths in the July 2 café bombing: at least 9
- Years since al-Sharaa took power in Syria: 1 (since 2025)
What’s Next
Syrian authorities say they are continuing to investigate both the July 2 café bombing and Tuesday’s twin explosions, with no group or individual yet publicly blamed for either attack. Macron’s visit is continuing as planned, and his meeting with al-Sharaa is expected to focus on Syria’s postwar reconstruction and its reintegration into the international community. Fox News Digital has reached out to the Syrian Foreign Ministry and Élysée Palace for further details.
FAQ
Was Macron hurt in the explosions?
No. He was not in his hotel at the time and, according to his office, was not even aware the blasts had occurred.
How many people were injured?
Eighteen people were injured, including four police officers.
Where exactly did the bombs go off?
Near the Four Seasons hotel in downtown Damascus, where Macron was staying, though Syrian officials said the blast site was outside his official security perimeter.
Is this connected to the café bombing earlier in the week?
Authorities haven’t confirmed a connection, but Tuesday’s blasts are the second and third major explosions in Damascus in less than a week, following a July 2 café bombing that killed at least nine people.
Why is Macron’s visit significant?
It’s the first state visit to Syria by a Western head of state since Ahmed al-Sharaa took power in 2025, following the fall of Bashar al-Assad.
Editorial Note: This article was prepared using publicly available information from international news organizations and official sources available at the time of publication. Facts may be updated as authorities release new information.
Sources:
The Guardian – Bombs explode near Damascus hotel housing Macron on Syria visit