Explosions rocked Damascus near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying on Tuesday, wounding at least 18 people, Syrian authorities said. The blasts occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron was reported to be staying, as he met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace.
Details of the Attack
Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated near the Four Seasons Hotel, a facility that hosts UN staff and foreign diplomats and is one of the most well-guarded in the Syrian capital. The Syrian interior ministry reported that one IED was placed in a trash bin, wounding four police officers, while another was in a parked car. In total, 18 people were wounded, with no deaths recorded. An investigation is underway to determine responsibility.
Macron's Visit Uninterrupted
Despite the explosions, Macron's visit proceeded as planned. Syrian state media published images of Macron and Sharaa embracing at the presidential palace, confirming the blasts did not interrupt the schedule. Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since the toppling of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, marking a significant recognition of Sharaa's rule.
Setback for Syria's New Rulers
The explosions represent a setback for Syria's new rulers, who have sought to project stability and attract foreign investors. Sharaa and his ministers have worked to distance themselves from their past as Islamist fighters in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which originated from al-Qaida. France has been a key supporter of Sharaa, pushing for sanctions relief and mediating between Syria and Israel.
Economic Delegation and Memorandums
Macron was accompanied by an economic delegation, including Jacques Saadé, head of shipping conglomerate CMA CGM, who has Syrian origins. The French president is expected to sign memorandums of understanding with Syria to boost investor confidence in the war-battered country, where 90% of people live in poverty and infrastructure is in desperate need of repair.
Recent Violence in Damascus
The attack follows a similar IED explosion at a busy cafe near the Justice Palace in Damascus days earlier, killing at least 10 and wounding more than 20. No group has claimed responsibility. Syria has faced attacks from various armed groups, including Islamic State and remnants of the Assad regime, though Damascus had been largely spared until this week.
