Explosions in Central Damascus during Macron's Visit
Two bomb explosions in central Damascus have left 18 people injured, coinciding with a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, according to Syrian authorities. The blasts occurred near the Four Seasons hotel, where Macron was staying and had met with civil society representatives earlier that day.
The Syrian interior ministry reported that security forces had identified two explosive devices located in a parked car and a trash bin. These devices detonated while specialists attempted to defuse them, as reported by the state news agency Sana. French officials confirmed that Macron was unharmed and did not hear the explosions, proceeding with his meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace shortly thereafter.
Investigation and Security Challenges
While no group has claimed responsibility for the attack, a spokesperson from Syria's interior ministry mentioned that preliminary investigations have provided leads regarding those responsible. This incident underscores the persistent security challenges in Syria, overshadowing Macron's visit, which marks the first by an EU leader since the Assad regime's fall in 2024.
Video footage shared on social media depicted security forces and first responders at the scene of the burning vehicle, close to the ministry of tourism's headquarters. A second explosion occurred nearby, as verified by BBC analysis, which located the blasts approximately 125 meters from the Four Seasons hotel. An eyewitness informed BBC Arabic that the second explosion happened about 20 meters from the first, causing injuries to public security personnel and traffic police.
Among the injured were four police officers, as confirmed by the interior ministry. According to spokesman Nour al-Din al-Baba, the explosive devices were planted just minutes before detonation, outside the designated security perimeter for Macron's accommodation.
Macron's Response and Continued Visit
Despite the explosions, Syrian state television reported that President Sharaa welcomed Macron to the presidential palace. Following the blasts, Macron took to social media, expressing his commitment to Syria's aspirations for sovereignty and unity, stating, "Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria." He also acknowledged the diverse and determined spirit of the Syrian people during his visit.
At a joint news conference with Sharaa, Macron emphasized the importance of supporting those affected by the bombings while maintaining a firm stance on security. Sharaa commended Macron's "courage" for continuing his visit despite the incident.
Focus on Economic Reconstruction
Beyond addressing security concerns, Macron's visit centered on Syria's economic struggles, with reconstruction being a primary focus. Accompanied by French business leaders, Macron participated in an economic forum where 15 bilateral agreements were signed, covering sectors such as civil aviation, health, and banking.
The French president's visit highlights Syria's re-emergence on the global stage, 19 months after Sharaa's Islamist group led the charge to overthrow Bashar al-Assad. Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda commander from Syria's Sunni Muslim majority, has pledged to unify a nation divided by decades of Assad family rule and a devastating 13-year civil war.
Despite progress, Sharaa's government continues to face security threats from various armed factions, including the jihadist group Islamic State (IS), which has been responsible for a series of recent attacks. Just last week, a bomb explosion at a busy cafe in central Damascus resulted in the deaths of nine people and injured 22 others, as reported by Syrian state media. Additionally, pro-government forces have been implicated in violence against religious and ethnic minorities, resulting in numerous casualties last year.
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