Explosions Wound Dozens Near Macron's Damascus Hotel

Explosions near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus wounded at least 36 people and killed one person during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Syria. According to Al Jazeera, citing Syria’s state news agency and Ministry of Health, five individuals were hospitalized in stable condition while 31 others suffered minor injuries.

The blasts occurred shortly after Macron's motorcade left for a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa but did not directly threaten him or interrupt his diplomatic engagements. The Interior Ministry reported that two improvised explosive devices were used: one placed inside a vehicle and another concealed in a trash container. The blasts struck near the Ministry of Tourism and the national museum across from the hotel where Macron was staying.

Macron's visit marks him as the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa came to power after ousting Bashar Assad in 2024. Despite the explosions, Macron pledged to continue his visit, stating that they must 'not let ourselves be destabilised.' Al-Sharaa saluted Macron’s 'courage' for carrying on with his visit despite the bombings.

The incident underscores significant security challenges in Syria despite relative calm in Damascus during this turbulent period. The attacks cast a shadow over the landmark visit as al-Sharaa tries to rebuild the country's image after more than a decade of conflict. Five days earlier, a separate attack in Damascus killed 10 people in a cafe.

Macron arrived with an economic delegation and plans to sign memorandums of understanding, aiming to attract investors for rebuilding war-torn Syria. Agreements signed include returning $58.3 million in illicit assets belonging to Rifaat Assad, late uncle of Bashar Assad, and rebuilding infrastructure in Homs, providing technical assistance to Syria’s Central Bank, and bolstering cargo infrastructure at the Damascus airport.