18 Injured in Damascus Blasts Amid French President's Syria Visit

At least 18 people, including four police officers, were injured after two explosions rocked central Damascus on Tuesday, just hours before a scheduled meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa.

According to Syria's Interior Ministry, the blasts occurred near the Ministry of Tourism after security forces discovered two improvised explosive devices during a field operation. The bombs exploded while bomb disposal teams were attempting to dismantle them.

Macron safe as Syria visit continues

Macron, who arrived in Damascus on Monday, is the first senior European leader to visit Syria since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad's regime. Reports said the explosions occurred close to the hotel where the French President was staying.

The French Presidency later confirmed that Macron was safe and that his official visit would continue as planned.

Bombs hidden in car and garbage container

Initial investigations found that the explosives were crudely made. One device had been placed inside a parked car, while the other was concealed inside a garbage container.

Syrian authorities said investigations are underway to identify those responsible and determine the circumstances surrounding the attack.

Security concerns remain high in Damascus

The latest explosions come days after a July 3 bombing near the Justice Palace in central Damascus killed nine people and injured 20 others. Authorities described that incident as a terrorist attack involving an improvised explosive device packed with metal fragments.

On July 4, Syrian security forces also said they had foiled an attempt to bomb a passenger bus in a Damascus suburb. Earlier, three security personnel were injured in an attack at a checkpoint in the Jaramana suburb, highlighting the continued security challenges facing the Syrian capital.