Explosions shook the Syrian capital Damascus on July 7, 2026, during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit, the first by a European head of state since the fall of the Assad regime in late 2024. The blasts occurred near the Syrian Tourism Ministry and the Four Seasons hotel, where Macron was staying.

Syrian state television reported that 18 people were injured in the two explosions, including four police officers. Video footage showed a vehicle on fire after the first explosion and smoke rising following a second blast, which appeared to originate from a rubbish bin.

The Élysée Palace stated that President Macron did not hear the blasts, and his motorcade continued through Damascus to a scheduled meeting with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa. The site of the explosions was outside the security perimeter for Macron's residence and did not pose a direct threat to the official visit, which proceeded as planned.

Prior to the explosions, Macron had been meeting with Syrian civil society groups in the area. Since assuming the presidency, Al-Sharaa, a former Al Qaeda commander, has sought to unite Syria's factions and improve relations with Western nations. Notably, the United States lifted economic sanctions on Syria following a meeting between Al-Sharaa and former U.S. President Donald Trump, arranged by Turkiye's Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman.

Notable Quote

"The site of the explosion is outside the security perimeter designated for the French president's residence, and did not pose any direct threat to the residence or to the official visit program, which is continuing according to the planned schedule," the agency reported.

Sources