Explosive Device Kills 6 at Damascus Cafe, Injuring 22 Near Palace of Justice

3 articles · Updated · Al Jazeera English · Jul 2

At least six people were killed and 22 injured when an explosive device detonated inside a cafe on al-Nasser Street in Damascus's al-Marjah district at about 3:24 p.m. local time.
Syrian state media said the blast struck near the Palace of Justice, where high-profile former Assad-era figures have been on trial this week, including ex-grand mufti Ahmad Badr al-Aldin Hassoun.
Security forces sealed off the area over fears of a second blast and began reviewing government and private surveillance footage, but had not identified a perpetrator.
Residents gave first aid before ambulances arrived, and officials said the toll could rise because the cafe area was crowded by nearby markets and court activity.
Damascus Governor Maher Marwan said security in the capital has improved in recent months, while warning that cells seeking to destabilize Syria's new government still pose a threat.