Damascus blasts injure 18 as Macron visits Syria for landmark reset

Damascus,UPDATED: Jul 7, 2026 20:28 IST

Explosions shook Syria's capital Damascus on Tuesday, injuring at least 18 people, as French President Emmanuel Macron met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in a landmark visit linked to the country's rebuilding after years of civil war. Syria's Interior Ministry said no deaths were immediately reported, and an official from the Elysee Palace said Macron was safe and his meeting with al-Sharaa continued.

The blasts were the second attack in Damascus in a week and came at a sensitive time for Syria's new leadership, which has been trying to assert control after the ouster of Bashar Assad in late 2024. Later in the day, Macron and al-Sharaa announced that their countries had agreed to reappoint ambassadors after more than a decade, signalling a major step in restoring diplomatic ties.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack. A large plume of smoke was seen near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Syrian media reported Macron was staying. Footage on social media showed a van and a motorcycle on fire and bloodstains on a busy street near the Tourism Ministry headquarters and the Damascus Museum.

The Interior Ministry, in a statement carried by Syrian state media, said one bomb had been placed in a garbage bin and the other in a parked car. It said four of the injured were police officers.

On X, Macron later said, "Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria." He added: "This morning I met Syria in all its diversity. I saw dignity, courage and determination."

After their meeting, al-Sharaa said, "Our meeting marks a historical milestone." France had closed its embassy in 2012, but symbolically reopened it in early 2025. Macron, who played a major role in pushing Europe and the United States to lift most sanctions imposed on Syria under Assad, was in Syria before travelling to Ankara later on Tuesday for a NATO summit.

Syria's government sees Macron's visit, along with the signing of more than a dozen agreements with Paris and major French companies, as a major boost for the new authorities as they seek to rebuild the country after a 14-year uprising-turned-civil war. One agreement begins the process of returning 51 million euros in illicit assets that belonged to Rifaat Assad, the late uncle of Bashar Assad.

Other agreements included rebuilding destroyed water and electricity infrastructure in Homs, providing technical assistance to Syria's Central Bank as it undergoes financial reforms, and strengthening cargo infrastructure at Damascus airport. A Syrian foreign ministry official told The Associated Press, on condition of anonymity, "The outcome of this visit confirms that Syria is steadily moving toward a new phase of international partnerships based on shared interests and mutual respect." The official added, "Attempts to destabilize the country will not alter this trajectory," and said those behind the attack would be brought to justice.

The explosions underline the challenge facing al-Sharaa as he tries to consolidate control, reassure minorities wary of his Islamist-led rule and win the backing of Western governments concerned about his past leadership of the former al-Qaida-linked Hayat Tahrir al-Sham group. His government has promised political and economic reform after decades of autocratic rule.

On Thursday, an explosive device detonated in a cafe near the Justice Palace, killing at least 10 people and injuring more than 20. Although Damascus had remained largely peaceful, the latest attack showed the continuing security risks as Syria tries to rebuild. The conflict has killed nearly half a million people, displaced millions and left infrastructure in ruins, even as the country seeks international support and investment for reconstruction. Before reaching the presidential palace, Macron also met members of Syrian civil society, though his office did not give details.

Tuesday's explosions, Macron's visit and the decision to restore ambassadorial ties together marked a significant day for Syria, highlighting both the fragile security situation in Damascus and the new leadership's push to rebuild the country and deepen international engagement.

With PTI Inputs

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