Twin explosions struck central Damascus on Tuesday, injuring at least 18 people, including four police officers, while French President Emmanuel Macron met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in the first visit by a major Western leader since the ouster of former President Bashar Assad.
The blasts occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron had spent the previous night, according to French and Syrian media.
Several explosive devices detonated this morning in the Syrian capital of Damascus, close to the Four Season Hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron is currently staying, resulting in injuries to at least 18 people though no fatalities, according to Syria’s Interior… pic.twitter.com/HJj3lV3His
— OSINTdefender (@sentdefender) July 7, 2026
Macron was at the presidential palace, about 10 kilometers (6.2 miles) away, when the explosions occurred and was not injured. No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
The country’s Interior Ministry said authorities have launched an investigation into the incident.
🚨#Damascus: Additional footage of the terrorist bombings that took place near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, where French President #Macron is staying.
❗️ Not one terrorist bombing, several… https://t.co/ZfxdTWMeN0 pic.twitter.com/qFuGKIWOqj
— Syria Justice Archive (@SyJusticeArc) July 7, 2026
Speaking after the blasts, Macron said France would continue supporting Syria’s recovery despite the security risks.
“We are not naive about the risks, but they are being managed,” Macron said during a joint news conference with al-Sharaa. “Certain groups” sought to prevent “Syria’s full and complete reintegration into the international community,” he added.
Shortly after the explosions, Macron wrote on X: “Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria.”
Rien ne pourra étouffer l’aspiration des Syriennes et des Syriens à vivre dans une Syrie pleinement souveraine, sûre, pluraliste, unie.
Ce matin j’ai rencontré la Syrie dans toute sa diversité. J’ai vu la dignité, le courage et la détermination.
Ma visite se poursuit.
— Emmanuel Macron (@EmmanuelMacron) July 7, 2026
Al-Sharaa vowed those responsible would be brought to justice.
“I salute President Macron’s courage in continuing the visit,” he said, adding that those behind the attack “will be arrested as soon as possible.”
During the visit, France and Syria discussed expanding security cooperation, including possible support from French special forces in operations against the Islamic State group, which has claimed several attacks on Syrian security forces this year.
The two countries also discussed strengthening economic ties, with both sides expressing support for greater French investment to help rebuild Syria.
Tuesday’s attack came less than a week after another bombing in Damascus killed nine people and wounded 22 others.
