A series of explosions rocked central Damascus, the Syrian capital, while French President Emmanuel Macron was holding a summit during his visit to Syria. Macron was confirmed to be safe.
Two explosions occurred while Macron was holding a summit with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa on Sunday, according to the Associated Press and Reuters. The blasts took place near the Four Seasons Hotel where Macron was staying, and the French presidential office said Macron was safe and continuing his scheduled program.
"President Macron held the summit with President al-Sharaa without hearing the explosions," a source told Reuters.
Syrian authorities did not issue an official statement. However, Syrian state media reported that the series of explosions was caused by explosive devices. Black smoke billowed from the scene, and footage of burning vehicles and bloodstains on the road spread on social media. In response, Syrian authorities took measures including sealing off roads in Damascus and tightening security.
The scale of casualties from the explosions has not yet been confirmed. No group has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack.
Macron has been throwing his weight behind efforts to support Syria's return to the international community since the launch of the al-Sharaa government. Al-Sharaa, a former commander-in-chief of the Islamist militant group Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), ousted the regime of Bashar al-Assad in 2024, and Macron was the first Western leader to visit Syria afterward. Syria's territory has been heavily devastated by prolonged conflict since civil war broke out in 2011 following the Assad regime's bloody crackdown on pro-democracy protests.
In Damascus, a terrorist attack occurred several days ago when an explosive device detonated at a cafe near the Ministry of Justice building, killing at least 10 people and wounding 20.
