Two explosions were reported in Damascus on Tuesday morning leaving at least 18 casualties. One explosion occurred on a peripheral road, while the other took place not far from the Four Seasons Hotel, where French President Emmanuel Macron and his delegation have been staying since Monday night.🚨 لحظة وقوع الانفجار في دمشق#سوريا https://t.co/BGsbtLQkuM pic.twitter.com/fi6rYcz78v— LebyNews (@lebynews) July 7, 2026
The Elysee Palace said the French president was not at the hotel at the time of the explosion, but was on his way to the Syrian presidential palace for a meeting with President Ahmed al-Sharaa. "President Macron is safe. His visit continues as planned," the Elysee Palace said in a statement. Syria’s state news agency SANA, citing the Syrian Ministry of Interior, confirmed the twin explosions, saying they occurred near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus and injured at least 18 people, including four security personnel.According to the Interior Ministry, security forces detected two improvised explosive devices during field operations: one was found inside a parked car on the roadside, while the second was placed inside a trash container.The devices detonated while they were being dismantled by specialized units, the ministry added, according to SANA.“We confirm that the explosion site is outside the security perimeter designated for the French president’s residence. It posed no direct threat to the residence or the official visit program, which is proceeding as planned,” the ministry continued.Macron is the first Western leader to meet Sharaa in the Syrian capital.The French president arrived in Damascus on Monday evening ahead of his trip to Ankara on Tuesday afternoon for the NATO summit.The Elysee Palace refrained from officially announcing Macron’s planned visit for security reasons, confirming his arrival to Damascus only after he had reached the city. Macron’s visit includes a private meeting with Sharaa as well as an economic forum attended by senior French and Syrian business leaders.Last Friday, 10 people were killed and 21 others were injured in an explosion that took place at a cafe in central Damascus, in the al-Hijaz area near the Ministry of Justice. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, but Syrian authorities have accused remnants of the former Assad regime and affiliated cells of attempting to sow instability and disrupt the country's transitional period.This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
