Twin explosions near French President Macron’s hotel in Syria's Damascus; at least 18 injured

Two explosive devices detonated in central Damascus on Tuesday morning near the Four Seasons Hotel, where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during his landmark visit. The blasts occurred shortly after Macron’s motorcade left for the presidential palace to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa. Syrian state media reported that 18 people were injured, including four police officers. No casualties were immediately linked to Macron’s entourage, and the French Presidency confirmed he did not hear the explosions and remained safe.

Macron, the first major EU leader to visit Syria since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in 2024, arrived on Monday evening. He was welcomed by Syrian officials and held talks with al-Sharaa focusing on reconstruction, security cooperation, counter-terrorism, and bilateral agreements. Syrian security forces sealed off roads and launched search operations to identify those responsible. The incident highlights ongoing security challenges in the war-torn country, coming just weeks after a deadly cafe bombing in Damascus that killed nine people.

The French President’s office stated that the visit continues as planned, with Macron scheduled to travel to Turkey for the NATO summit afterward. Videos and images circulating on social media showed plumes of smoke and flames rising from the area near the hotel and a nearby museum. Internal security measures were heightened across the capital following the blasts, which struck a busy area between the tourism ministry and national museum.