Explosions rocked the Syrian capital of Damascus on Tuesday, injuring at least 18 people, as French President Emmanuel Macron met with his Syrian counterpart, Ahmad al-Sharaa. The incident occurred during a landmark visit intended to formalize the restoration of diplomatic ties between Paris and the new Syrian government.
According to Syria’s Interior Ministry, two devices were detonated—one in a garbage bin and another in a parked vehicle—near the Four Seasons Hotel and the National Museum. Four police officers were among the wounded, though no fatalities were immediately reported. The Elysee Palace confirmed that President Macron remained safe at the presidential palace, where his scheduled meetings proceeded as planned.
This attack marks the second security incident in Damascus within a week, following a deadly cafe bombing near the Justice Palace last Thursday that killed 10 people. The violence underscores the significant security challenges facing the al-Sharaa administration as it attempts to stabilize the country following the 2024 ouster of Bashar Assad.
Despite the security situation, the visit yielded concrete diplomatic outcomes, including an agreement to reappoint ambassadors after a decade-long hiatus. Furthermore, the two leaders signed over a dozen economic agreements, focusing on infrastructure reconstruction in Homs, technical assistance for the Central Bank, and the repatriation of illicit assets belonging to the former regime.
In a statement posted to X, President Macron emphasized his commitment to a “sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria.” The French leader is scheduled to travel to Ankara, Turkey, later today for a NATO summit, where he will be joined by al-Sharaa.