Bombs Explode Near Hotel Hosting Macron During Syria Visit, At Least 18 Injured

At least 18 people were injured after two bombs exploded near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during his visit to Syria, Syrian authorities said on Tuesday.

The explosions occurred in the Syrian capital, Damascus, while Macron was meeting Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace. Two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated near the Four Seasons Hotel, where the French president was reportedly staying.

The Four Seasons Hotel accommodates United Nations personnel and foreign diplomats and is considered one of the most heavily guarded facilities in Damascus.

Syrian state media said the blasts did not disrupt Macron's visit or his meeting with President al-Sharaa. Images released by state media showed the two leaders embracing at the presidential palace after the incident.

The attack, however, represents a setback for Syria's new leadership, which has been trying to project an image of stability and attract foreign investment since former President Bashar al-Assad was ousted in December 2024.

Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since Assad's removal from power. His meeting with al-Sharaa is widely viewed as a significant step toward international recognition of Syria's new government. Al-Sharaa and his ministers have also sought to distance themselves from their past as Islamist fighters in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group that emerged from al-Qaeda.

France has been one of the strongest Western supporters of Syria's new administration, advocating for the lifting of U.S. sanctions on Syria and helping mediate between Syria and Israel.

Macron was accompanied by an economic delegation that included Jacques Saadé, chairman of the shipping giant CMA CGM, whose family has Syrian roots. During the visit, France and Syria are expected to sign several memorandums of understanding (MoUs) aimed at boosting investor confidence in the war-torn country.

A video circulating on social media showed Syrian police officers standing near what appeared to be a trash bin before it suddenly exploded, injuring four officers.

The Syrian Interior Ministry said another IED had been placed inside a parked vehicle. A total of 18 people were injured in the two explosions, and an investigation is underway to determine who was responsible.

The incident came just days after another IED attack near the Justice Palace in Damascus last Thursday killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 20. No group has claimed responsibility for that attack.

Syria has recently faced attacks by various armed groups, including Islamic State and factions linked to the former Assad regime. Although Damascus had largely remained free from major violence until last week, kidnappings, assassinations, and armed attacks have continued in other parts of the country.

Beyond security concerns, Syria's new government is also grappling with the severe economic crisis caused by 14 years of civil war and prolonged international sanctions. Around 90% of Syrians live in poverty, while much of the country's infrastructure has been devastated by the conflict. Basic services, including electricity, remain unreliable in many areas, including the capital, Damascu.