Damascus blasts hit as Macron meets Syria's Sharaa in landmark visit

Explosions struck central Damascus as Emmanuel Macron met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The attack underscored Syria's fragile security situation as Damascus seeks investment and Western backing.

In Short

• Interior Ministry said two explosive devices wounded at least 18 people
• One bomb was hidden in a dustbin, another in parked car
• Four police officers were among the injured, with no deaths reported

Explosions hit Damascus on Tuesday while French President Emmanuel Macron was meeting Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in what is being seen as a landmark visit to the country. Syria's Interior Ministry said at least 18 people were wounded in the blasts.

Macron had entered the presidential palace for talks with al-Sharaa when the explosions took place near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Syrian media said the French president was staying. An Elysee official said Macron was safe and that his meeting with al-Sharaa was continuing.

Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa came to power after leading an insurgency that ousted Bashar Assad in 2024. The visit comes before Macron heads to a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkiye. The Elysee official spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss Macron's whereabouts and security.

The blasts are a setback for al-Sharaa, who has been trying to tighten control across war-ravaged Syria, bring stability to the country, reassure minorities wary of his Islamist-led rule, and win support from Western governments that had been sceptical of his past as the leader of the formerly al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group. His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule.

Macron played a major role in pushing Europe and the United States to lift most sanctions on Syria. He arrived in the country on Monday night with an economic delegation and is scheduled to sign memorandums of understanding with his Syrian counterpart as the country seeks to attract investment for rebuilding after 14 years of war.

The Interior Ministry said in a statement carried by Syrian state media that the two blasts in central Damascus were caused by explosive devices, one placed in a dustbin and the other in a parked car. It said four of those wounded were police officers and that no deaths were immediately reported. An investigation is under way at the scene.

A large plume of smoke was seen rising from the area, which is on a busy street near the Tourism Ministry headquarters and the Damascus National Museum. Videos circulating on social media showed a van and a motorcycle on fire and blood stains on the road. No group immediately claimed responsibility.

The incident came days after an explosive device went off in a cafe near the Justice Palace in Damascus, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 20. Although Syria's new rulers have faced violence involving different groups as they work to consolidate control, the capital has largely remained calm during this turbulent period.

The conflict in Syria has killed nearly half a million people and displaced millions. The country's infrastructure has been devastated, and despite large investment pledges from other countries and businesses, Syria still needs hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild and pull millions out of poverty. Before arriving at the presidential palace, Macron also met members of Syrian civil society, though his office did not say who they were.

The blasts during Macron's visit underlined the security challenges facing Syria even as al-Sharaa seeks international backing, political reform and investment to rebuild the country.

With PTI Inputs

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