Summary:
On July 7, 2026, two improvised explosive devices detonated in central Damascus near the Ministry of Tourism and the Four Seasons Hotel, where French President Emmanuel Macron had spent the night. The blasts occurred minutes after his motorcade departed for meetings with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace. Syrian authorities said security forces had detected the devices and were in the process of defusing them when both exploded. One device was placed inside a parked vehicle along the roadside, while the second was concealed in a trash container nearby. The explosions occurred outside the designated security perimeter for the French president’s visit. Eighteen people were wounded,
including four police officers, though no fatalities were reported. President
Macron was unharmed and continued with his scheduled programme. No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. The incident follows a separate bombing
on July 2 at a café near the Palace of Justice that killed at least five people
and wounded more than twenty.
Detailed Report
1. Incident Overview
Two explosive devices detonated in central Damascus on Tuesday afternoon in a busy area near the Ministry of Tourism and the national museum, directly across from the Four Seasons Hotel. According to statements from the Syrian Interior Ministry carried by the state news agency SANA, security forces identified the devices during routine operations and immediately dispatched bomb disposal specialists to the scene. Both devices exploded while disposal procedures were underway. One device had been placed inside a parked vehicle along the roadside, while the second was hidden in a trash container a short distance away. The blasts occurred just minutes after President Macron’s motorcade had left the hotel area en route to the presidential palace.
2. Casualties and Medical Response
The Syrian Interior Ministry confirmed that 18 people were wounded in the explosions, four of them police officers who were directly involved in the bomb disposal operation. The remaining casualties were civilians who had been in the vicinity at the time. Several of the injured sustained shrapnel and blast injuries that required surgery. No deaths were reported in connection with the incident. Medical teams and civil defence units responded rapidly, providing on-site first aid before transporting the wounded to hospitals in Damascus, including Al-Muwasat University Hospital and Al-Assad University Hospital.
3. Syrian Government and Security Response
The Interior Ministry described the incident as a terrorist attack targeting both civilians and security personnel. In the immediate aftermath, authorities established a security cordon around the blast sites, conducted thorough sweeps for any additional devices, and increased security checkpoints throughout central Damascus. The ministry emphasised that the explosions occurred outside the security perimeter designated for President Macron’s visit and posed no direct threat to his residence or official programme, which continued as planned without disruption.
4. Investigation Status
No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks. Syrian authorities stated that forensic teams are currently examining evidence collected from the scene and reviewing available surveillance footage. Investigations remain active, with security forces continuing search operations in the surrounding area to identify any further threats or potential leads.
5. International Reactions
French officials confirmed that President Macron remained unharmed throughout the incident and expressed appreciation for the swift response of Syrian security forces. The Élysée Palace noted that Macron did not hear the explosions and proceeded with his full schedule of meetings as planned. International organisations, including the United Nations, condemned the attacks, while several regional governments also issued statements denouncing the bombings.
6. Broader Context
The July 7 explosions occurred on the second day of President Macron’s visit to Syria, which marked the first time a Western European head of state had travelled to the country since the fall of the previous government. The attacks follow a separate bombing on July 2 at a café near the Palace of Justice in central Damascus, which killed at least five people and wounded more than twenty others. Both incidents have highlighted the security challenges facing the capital during a period of political transition and increased international diplomatic engagement.
Conclusion
The twin bomb explosions in
central Damascus represent a significant security incident during a
high-profile diplomatic visit. While the attacks caused 18 injuries and
prompted a swift response from Syrian security forces, no group has claimed
responsibility and investigations are continuing. The incident underscores the
security challenges facing Damascus as Syria navigates political transition and
seeks to strengthen international ties.