One fatality and 36 injuries reported in Damascus after bombings during Macron’s visit

Despite the blasts, French President Emmanuel Macron continued his visit, stating Syria must not be destabilised.

8 Jul 2026

Syrian authorities reported that one person died when explosions rocked the capital, Damascus, on Tuesday while French President Emmanuel Macron was in the city.

According to Syria’s state news agency, the ministry of health confirmed the death and said at least 36 people were wounded, with 31 suffering minor injuries and five hospitalised in stable condition.

The attacks targeted the area near the Ministry of Tourism and the Four Seasons Hotel, a day after Macron had stayed overnight at the hotel, as reported by Al Jazeera correspondent Obaida Hitto.

The Ministry of Interior said one explosive device was placed under a parked car on a road side and a second device was planted in a rubbish container. The bombs detonated “while preparations were under way” to dismantle them.

Macron, the first EU head of state to visit Syria since the 2024 ousting of long‑time leader Bashar al‑Assad, had left the hotel for the presidential palace when the explosions occurred, according to his office.

Macron pledged to continue his visit, saying in a press conference alongside President Ahmed al‑Sharaa that “we must not let ourselves be destabilised”.

Al‑Sharaa praised Macron’s “courage” for proceeding with the visit despite the bombings.

However, the attacks cast a shadow over the landmark visit, which is part of al‑Sharaa’s effort to rebuild the country’s image after more than a decade of conflict. A separate bombing in Damascus killed ten people in a café five days earlier.

Foreign Minister Asaad Al‑Shaibani said Macron’s visit marks a pivotal point in bilateral relations, with the two countries having signed 15 agreements in 2024 covering civil aviation, health, banking, water infrastructure and roads.

Al‑Sharaa envisionsfyr France as a primary partner for Damascus, potentially playing a key role in global transit following disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz.

Following this, Macron and al‑Sharaa travelled to Ankara, Turkey, to attend the annual NATO summit.

Source link