Two bombs detonated near a hotel in Damascus on Tuesday, wounding 18 people shortly after French President Emmanuel Macron left the area. The blasts occurred outside the security zone for his visit and did not affect his schedule.
The explosions took place minutes after Macron’s motorcade departed the Four Seasons hotel en route to meetings with Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa. Syrian authorities said the devices, one in a parked vehicle and one in a trash container, had been identified near the Ministry of Tourism and were being prepared for removal when they went off.
Four police officers were among the wounded, according to Syrian state media. No group has claimed responsibility, and officials have launched searches to identify those responsible.
Macron continued his visit, which focused on diplomatic ties and economic reconstruction. During the trip, CMA CGM signed an air cargo agreement, and France and Syria began the process of returning €51 million in assets confiscated from Rifaat al-Assad.
In a post on X, Macron said nothing could undermine Syrians’ desire to live in a sovereign and secure country.
