Syria’s Interior Ministry announced Thursday that individuals responsible for a series of recent explosions in Damascus, including attacks coinciding with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit, have been arrested. Interior Minister Anas Khattab stated via an X/Twitter post, “The cell behind the terrorist bombings targeting Damascus two days ago is now in our grasp.”
According to Syrian state media, Israeli public broadcaster KAN News, referencing a Syrian security source, reported the cell was affiliated with Islamic State (ISIS).
The Interior Ministry detailed a coordinated operation involving simultaneous raids across Damascus and surrounding areas—including Al-Qatifah, Sayyidah Zaynab, Qudsaya suburb, and ‘Ush al-Warawir—conducted by internal security forces in partnership with the General Intelligence Agency.
Brig. Gen. Ahmad al-Dalati, commander of Internal Security Forces for rural Damascus province, disclosed to Syrian state television that investigators initially identified a suspect using security footage, subsequently tracing connections to other cell members, as reported by The Associated Press.
He stated, “Through monitoring one member of the cell linked to the July 7 Damascus bombings, we identified additional participants.”
The ministry published images of the arrests on X.
Minister Khattab indicated that details regarding the suspects’ identities, roles, and affiliations will be disclosed following ongoing investigations.
Islamic State has not formally claimed responsibility for the attacks.
Explosions Near Macron Venue Kill Eleven
On Tuesday, a vehicle-borne explosive device detonated near the hotel designated for Macron’s accommodation, resulting in one fatality and 36 injuries. The blast occurred in a busy area between Syria’s tourism ministry and the national museum, opposite the Four Seasons hotel. At the time, Macron was meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the presidential palace and remained unharmed.
A separate explosion at a central Damascus café near the Palace of Justice the previous week claimed ten lives and injured 21 individuals.
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