Syria Bombing in Damascus Cafe
Syria’s interior ministry reported on Thursday that a bomb detonated at a cafe in central Damascus, resulting in 10 fatalities and injuring 22 others. The ministry labeled the explosion a “terrorist attack,” but, as of now, no group has claimed responsibility.
Al-Mushairiya Cafe, located merely 80 meters from the main courthouse—known as the Damascus Palace of Justice—was frequently visited by lawyers and individuals conducting legal business.
Local media indicated that six of the deceased were lawyers. A statement released on Friday referred to them as “a group of martyred fellow lawyers,” as mourners carried three of the victims in coffins during the funeral procession.
One victim, Eid Muhammad, was a lawyer and father of six from Al-Hajjah village. He was reportedly reading a legal document in the cafe when the explosion occurred. Disturbing images on social media depicted him face down in a pool of blood, surrounded by documents he had been reviewing.
Another victim, Fatih Qabbani, was simply passing the cafe on his way to work when the bomb went off, according to his brother, Bahaa Qabbani. Fatih’s brother expressed his outrage towards the unidentified attackers, describing them as “a group of terrorists hostile to their homeland,” and expressed hope that Syrian security forces would restore order firmly.
The Ministry of Interior revealed that the explosive device—a small, “crudely constructed” bomb weighing around 2 pounds—contained metal fragments. Initial reports suggested a possible suicide bomber, but the ministry stated the bomb was placed in the cafe and was detonated remotely or on a timer.
Security sources informed Al Jazeera that the bomber had left an improvised explosive device (IED) under a table in the cafe, possibly intending to target the courthouse afterward.
This incident marks another in a series of terrorist attacks and sectarian violence that have plagued Syria since the ousting of dictator Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, which ended a lengthy civil war. Given its proximity to the judicial complex, this bombing represents a significant security breach in Damascus since the regime’s rise to power.
While the Islamic State has previously claimed responsibility for numerous attacks, analysts noted a decline in the frequency of such incidents since their peak in 2025.
A day before the cafe bombing, interim president Ahmed al-Sharaa, a former al-Qaeda member, appointed the last 70 of the 210 seats in the new assembly, paving the way for the first plenary session. Damascus Governor Maher Marwan Idlibi stated that the bombing aimed to disrupt Syria’s post-war progress.
“Syria is on the mend, and this recovery is accelerating. The bombing seeks to instigate chaos,” Idribi remarked at the site of the attack. He assured that clarity would emerge soon and that those responsible would face consequences, affirming the resilience of the Syrian state in the face of such challenges.
Al Jazeera highlighted that the Palace of Justice is currently overseeing critical trials involving Assad regime officials, including a notorious security chief suspected of torture against children in 2011, an event that contributed to the civil war.
A significant number of former Assad regime members—estimated at around 10,000—remain at large in Syria. Political analyst Kamal Abdo noted that some of these individuals possess extensive experience in executing terrorist activities.
As investigations unfolded, the Ministry of the Interior announced on Friday that they had gathered “all available evidence” from the cafe and its vicinity, including surveillance footage. The cafe has remained closed since Thursday night, with oversight from Syrian internal security forces.
