- Explosions occurred near Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus.
- French President Emmanuel Macron was staying at the hotel.
- Macron confirmed safe; Syria visit continues despite blasts.
Explosions rocked Damascus on Tuesday as France's president met with his Syrian counterpart in a landmark visit. Emmanuel Macron had entered the presidential palace to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa when the explosions happened near the Four Seasons Hotel. Syrian authorities did not immediately comment on the incident.
Syrian media reported that Macron was staying at the Four Seasons. The French president's office said he was safe and that his visit to Syria was continuing.
L'instant où un engin explosif a été déclenché au centre de la capitale, Damashttps://t.co/5MtceY76Ks pic.twitter.com/sm53wa74dz
— Syrian Reporter (@ReporterSyrien) July 7, 2026
No group claims responsibility for the Damascus blast
State media, citing an unnamed security official, reported that the two blasts in the heart of the capital were caused by explosive devices. A large plume of smoke could be seen from the site.
Footage widely circulated on social media showed a vehicle on fire and blood stains on the street.
There were no immediate reports of casualties. No group immediately claimed responsibility.
The incident comes days after an explosive device was detonated in a cafe near the Justice Palace in Damascus, killing at least 10 people and wounding 20.
Syrian civil war
The explosions are a blow for al-Sharaa, who came to power after leading an insurgency that ousted Bashar Assad in 2024. He has since pushed to assert full control and bring stability in war-torn Syria, appeal to minorities sceptical of his Islamist-led rule, and win the support of Western governments who were sceptical of his past leadership of the former al-Qaeda-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group. His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule.
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While Syria's new rulers have wrestled with violence involving different groups in the country as they work to assert control, the capital has largely been peaceful during the turbulent period.
The conflict in Syria killed nearly half a million people and displaced millions. Syria's infrastructure lies in ruins, and while other nations and businesses have made large investment pledges, the country still needs hundreds of billions of dollars to rebuild and lift millions out of poverty. Before arriving at the presidential palace, Macron met with members of Syrian civil society, though his office did not give details on who.
(With inputs from agency)