Explosions near Macron’s Damascus hotel injure 18, Syrian media says

Smoke and fire rise at the site where explosive devices blew up near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was meant to be staying, in Damascus, Syria, in this screengrab obtained from a video, July 7, 2026. REUTERS/Yamam Al Shaar

PARIS, July 7 (Saudi Arabia Breaking News) - Two bombs exploded near the Damascus hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron held meetings on Tuesday, injuring 18 people, Syrian state media said, underscoring security challenges facing Syria’s new leadership.

The explosions occurred in a busy area between the Syrian tourism ministry and the national museum, across the street from the Four Seasons hotel, where Macron had met civil society groups.

Syrian state media said 18 people were injured, including four police officers.

Macron’s office said the blasts were not audible from the presidential motorcade and that the French president would continue his planned schedule.

Macron met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa soon afterwards, in the first visit by a head of state from a major European Union country since rebels led by Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

Syrian internal security forces launched search operations to identify those responsible, state-run Al-Ekhbariya TV reported, citing a security source.

Macron’s visit is intended to highlight Syria’s political transition under Sharaa, who has sought closer ties with Western and Middle Eastern powers as Damascus looks to rebuild after 13 years of war.

The blasts followed a separate bombing at a Damascus cafe last week that killed nine people and wounded 20 others.