
Two explosions have rocked the Syrian capital Damascus, near the Four Seasons Hotel, where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying before meeting with his Syrian counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Macron was not injured. According to the Élysée Palace, the French president was at the Presidential Palace when the explosions occurred.
The Syrian state news agency SANA reported that the explosions occurred during security forces' efforts to defuse two explosive devices found on the ground.
At least 18 people were injured in the incident, including 4 police officers.
One device exploded near the Four Seasons Hotel in central Damascus, while the other near the Ministry of Tourism. Syrian authorities said the devices were homemade and had been placed in a parked vehicle and a trash can.
The Syrian Interior Ministry announced that the area of the explosion was outside the security perimeter set up for Macron's residence and has launched investigations to identify the perpetrators.
The French president was in Syria for a meeting with Ahmed al-Sharaan, on the first official visit by a Western leader to the country since the fall of Bashar al-Assad's regime in December 2024.
The explosions came just days after another attack in Damascus, which killed nine people and injured 22 others.