Two explosive devices detonated in the heart of Damascus on Tuesday, near the Four Seasons Hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron had been staying, as he conducted a landmark visit to Syria, the first by a major Western leader since President Ahmad al-Sharaa came to power following the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. Macron was unharmed.
One explosion occurred next to the Four Seasons Hotel, and another went off beside the nearby Ministry of Tourism. Syria’s Interior Ministry confirmed that the two blasts were caused by explosive devices, one placed inside a garbage bin and the other inside a parked car, wounding at least 18 people, including four police officers.
Macron had already departed for the Presidential Palace when the explosions occurred. The Élysée Palace confirmed he was safe and that his meeting with President al-Sharaa was continuing as planned.
Analysts said it appeared likely that the French delegation was the target, with those responsible having planted improvised explosive devices in the area. No group has claimed responsibility, and Syrian authorities have launched an investigation.
Macron arrived in Syria on Monday night with an economic delegation and is scheduled to sign memorandums of understanding with his Syrian counterpart as the war-battered country attempts to attract investors for its reconstruction after 14 years of conflict. French shipping group CMA CGM signed a partnership deal with Syria covering air freight at Damascus International Airport, and France also began a process to return 51 million euros in assets confiscated from Assad’s late uncle.
The attack comes just days after an explosive device was detonated in a Damascus café near the Justice Palace, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 20.
