Explosions Near Hotel During Macron’s Visit to Damascus

On Tuesday, two explosions were reported close to the Four Seasons Hotel in downtown Damascus, where French President Emmanuel Macron was reportedly staying during his official visit, according to Syrian state media.

The Syrian Interior Ministry stated that 18 individuals, including four police officers, suffered injuries from improvised explosive devices (IEDs). The state outlet SANA reported that security forces found and detonated both bombs while preparing for disposal operations.

The explosives were hidden in a vehicle and a trash can near the hotel, marking this as the first visit by a Western leader to Syria since President Ahmed al-Sharah took power in 2025 following the ousting of Bashar al-Assad.

A spokesperson for the Elysée Palace confirmed that Macron was not present at the hotel when the explosions occurred and did not hear them. Both the Elysée Palace and SANA mentioned that he continued with his scheduled meetings with al-Sharah.

While Macron didn’t directly address the explosions, he shared a statement on social media soon after the incident. He emphasized that nothing could impede the dreams of the Syrian people for a secure and unified Syria, describing the morning’s meetings as showcasing a “diverse” nation filled with dignity and determination.

The explosions occurred outside of the designated security perimeter for the presidential events, as clarified by the Interior Ministry. They reiterated that there was no immediate threat to the French presidential palace or the ongoing visit program.

This incident was the second and third major explosions in less than a week in the city. On July 2, another attack involving an explosive device at a cafe in Damascus resulted in the deaths of at least nine people, which the French government described as a “terrorist attack.” Syrian authorities are still looking into that incident, and no group has claimed responsibility yet.

Fox News Digital has reached out to both the Syrian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Elysée Palace for further confirmation and information regarding these events.