Blast Rocks Damascus Hotel During Macron’s State Visit

Explosions were reported in Damascus on Tuesday near the French President Emmanuel Macron’s accommodation, according to security sources.

An explosive device planted on a vehicle was identified as the likely cause of the blasts, which also affected areas close to the Syrian Tourism Ministry, officials confirmed.

Security forces sealed off roads and implemented heightened measures following the incident, with witnesses describing smoke rising from the area, a Reuters source reported.

While authorities have not released an official casualty count, multiple victims are believed to have been injured, with emergency services overwhelmed by the response.

The Elysee Palace stated that Macron remained unharmed, as he was en route to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the time of the explosions.

This visit marks the first by a European Union head of state to Damascus since Sharaa’s rebels ousted President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

“I am here to reaffirm France’s support for Syria’s sovereignty and unity. Together, we must build a stable and peaceful future,” Macron stated on X/Twitter.

Accompanying Macron are business leaders, including executives from TotalEnergies and CMA CGM, to discuss Syria’s reconstruction efforts, a French official revealed.

Earlier this week, another explosion in the country resulted in ten fatalities, as reported by the Syrian Health Ministry, according to state media.

Additional sources confirmed 21 injuries from the recent incident, with no claims of responsibility for the attack thus far.

State television identified the location of the earlier blast as a nearby café to the Palace of Justice in central Damascus, though details remain limited.

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