Two Homemade Bombs Injure 18 Near Macron's Damascus Hotel
Updated
Updated · The Week · Jul 7
Two Homemade Bombs Injure 18 Near Macron's Damascus Hotel
3 articles · Updated · The Week · Jul 7
Summary
18 people, including four police officers, were injured when two homemade bombs exploded Tuesday morning outside Damascus's Four Seasons Hotel shortly after Emmanuel Macron's motorcade left for talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
The Syrian interior ministry said one device was planted in a parked car and the other in a garbage bin in the busy area between the tourism ministry and the national museum; footage showed the second blast erupting beside an ambulance.
French officials said Macron did not hear the explosions from his convoy and would keep his schedule, while Syrian authorities launched a search operation to identify those responsible.
The attack hit during Macron's landmark visit as the first major European head of state to visit Syria since Sharaa's rebels toppled Bashar al-Assad in 2024, days after a cafe bombing in central Damascus killed 10.
Can Syria's new leader, a former jihadist, secure his own capital from such brazen attacks?
Damascus blasts: A ghost attack by ISIS or a violent message from Iran-backed militias?
July 2026 Damascus Explosions Amid Macron Visit: Implications for Syrian Stability and International Engagement
Overview
On July 7, 2026, twin explosions struck central Damascus near the Four Seasons Hotel, plunging the city into chaos during French President Macron’s historic visit. Dramatic footage of burning vehicles and blood-stained streets quickly spread on social media, highlighting the severity of the attacks. In the immediate aftermath, the extent of damage and casualties was unclear, and no group claimed responsibility, fueling confusion. Despite the turmoil, President Macron continued with his diplomatic agenda, signaling resilience. The blasts underscored ongoing security challenges in Syria, raising concerns about stability and the country’s efforts to rebuild and rejoin the international community.