Syria says one killed, 36 wounded in Damascus blasts amid Macron visit

What happened

Syrian state media, citing the Ministry of Health, reports that one person was killed and 36 others injured in explosions that struck central Damascus on Tuesday during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit. Of those wounded, 31 sustained minor injuries while five were hospitalized in stable condition. Syrian authorities said two bombs detonated: one hidden in a parked car and another in a rubbish container near the Ministry of Tourism and the Four Seasons Hotel.

Outside Brief is treating this as a source-led account. Any disputed responsibility, casualty figure, battlefield claim or single-source assertion should be treated as unconfirmed/hearsay unless confirmed by another reliable source or a named official. The blasts occurred a day after Macron stayed overnight at the Four Seasons Hotel and just as he had departed for the presidential palace, with his office confirming he did not hear the explosions. Macron responded by pledging to continue his visit, emphasizing the importance of not allowing the attacks to destabilize Syria. His Syrian counterpart, President Ahmed el-Sharaa, praised Macron’s resolve amid the attack and called for strengthening bilateral relations after years of conflict.

This visit marked the first by an EU head of state since the 2024 removal of President Bashar al-Assad and comes amid Syria’s efforts to rebuild its international image and domestic infrastructure. Macron and Syrian officials signed 15 agreements covering sectors such as civil aviation and water infrastructure, with Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani describing the visit as a pivotal moment in bilateral ties.

Known from the source

• One person was killed in the Damascus blasts according to Syrian state news citing the Ministry of Health.
• 36 people were wounded, with 31 having minor injuries and five hospitalized in stable condition.
• Two bombs exploded in central Damascus: one in a car and another in a rubbish container.
• The blasts occurred near the Ministry of Tourism and the Four Seasons Hotel.
• Emmanuel Macron was visiting Damascus and had stayed at the Four Seasons Hotel the previous night.

What remains unclear

The attack underscores ongoing security challenges in Damascus, following a deadly strike five days earlier that killed ten people in a cafe. The Ministries of Health and Interior have provided initial details on casualties and devices but have not named suspects or claimed responsibility for the bombings. Macron’s subsequent travel to Turkey for the NATO summit further signals France’s engagement with regional and global issues linked to Syria.

What remains unclear: Confirm whether the central claim is corroborated; until then treat it as unconfirmed/hearsay. Verification of the number of casualties and injury severity beyond Syrian Ministry of Health reports. Confirmation of the exact nature and location of the bombs from independent sources. Any developments or official statements regarding responsibility or security responses.

Evidence note

This story contains report-led claims. The article keeps those claims attributed and treats them as unconfirmed/hearsay unless independently corroborated.

Original source: Al Jazeera Syria. Open the source.