Explosions hit Syrian capital during Macron's visit

At least two bombs exploded near the hotel in Damascus, capital of Syria, where Emmanuel Macron, president of France, was holding meetings this Tuesday (7); however, the French leader's office said he did not hear the explosions and met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa shortly afterwards.

The explosions highlight the major security challenges in Syria, a country that Macron - head of state of one of the main nations of the European Union - visits for the first time since rebels led by Sharaa overthrew dictator Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

The explosions occurred in a busy area located between the Syrian Ministry of Tourism and the national museum, opposite the Four Seasons hotel, where Macron was meeting with civil society groups.

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Syria's state news agency reported that 18 people were injured in the explosions, including four police officers.

The first explosion occurred shortly after Macron's delegation left towards the presidential palace. Images from Reuters news agency showed flames and smoke rising from a dumpster when a second explosion was recorded on camera, a few meters away.

The second explosion occurred next to an ambulance parked at the scene, where around 20 people were gathered.

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Flames and thick black smoke were seen coming from the area near the shops at the back as emergency crews worked to combat the fire.

A Reuters video showed Macron's motorcade heading down a highway toward the presidential palace before the explosions. Photographs then showed him standing next to Sharaa and meeting with other Syrian officials and military officials.

Internal security forces have begun search operations to identify those responsible, a security source told Syrian state broadcaster Al-Ekhbariya.

Roads were blocked and security measures were implemented following the explosions, a security source told Reuters.

The French Presidency reported that the explosions were not heard by the presidential entourage, and a Reuters journalist who accompanied Macron did not hear the explosion or witness any commotion during the French president's morning appointments.

The president also intended to maintain the planned agenda for the day, the Presidency stated.

Political transformation in Syria
Macron's visit aims to highlight the political transformation in Syria under the leadership of Sharaa, who has forged close ties with Western and Middle Eastern powers that have rejected Assad, as he seeks to rebuild a country devastated by 13 years of war.

During the Syrian conflict, several militant groups, including the Islamic State, gained ground in the country.

Last week, a bomb in a cafe in Damascus killed nine people and injured 20 others. No one claimed responsibility for the attack.

Islamic State has claimed responsibility for a series of attacks against government forces in Syria since February, when the jihadist group announced what it described as a new phase of operations against the Sharaa government.

Sharaa, a member of Syria's Sunni Muslim majority, has pledged to build a new inclusive order in the country after the end of more than five decades of iron-fisted rule by the Assad family.

However, his promise has been put to the test by episodes of violence involving clashes between pro-government forces and members of religious and ethnic minorities, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of people last year.

Source: CNN