Two explosions took place in central Damascus on Tuesday near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron spent the night, a Syrian security source told AFP. The blasts occurred moments before Syrian state television announced Macron's arrival to the presidential palace to meet leader Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Macron's Visit and Security Concerns
The French president, the first Western European leader to visit Syria since the fall of longtime ruler Bashar al-Assad in 2024, was safe and will continue his visit, France's Elysee Palace said. Macron had postponed announcing the date of his visit to Damascus until his plane landed on Monday, for security reasons.
Details of the Explosions
One of the bombs was placed in a dumpster and the other in a vehicle near the Four Seasons Hotel, the security source said, requesting anonymity. AFP journalists heard at least one blast echo through Damascus before seeing a plume of smoke rising near the hotel, with security forces closing a road and ambulances heading to the scene.
Aftermath and Injuries
An AFP photographer near the tourism ministry, opposite the hotel, saw windows damaged by one of the explosions, amid a heavy security presence. "I saw three traffic police officers injured on the ground, before the area was evacuated and the roads leading to it were closed," Hamam Hammoud, a 37-year-old employee at a money exchange company, told AFP.
Recent Security Incidents
The explosions are the second since Thursday, when 10 people were killed in a bombing in a Damascus cafe. This incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in Syria, even as international leaders begin to re-engage with the country.
Why This Matters
Macron's visit is significant as it marks a tentative step towards re-establishing diplomatic relations between Western Europe and Syria. The security incidents, however, highlight the fragile nature of the current political climate and the challenges that lie ahead in stabilizing the region.
