Explosions rocked Damascus on Tuesday, wounding at least 18 people, in an incident that occurred near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying. Syrian authorities confirmed that two improvised explosive devices (IEDs) detonated close to the Four Seasons hotel, a facility known for housing United Nations staff and foreign diplomats, while Macron was engaged in a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace.
Despite the blasts, Syrian state media reported that Macron's visit proceeded uninterrupted, publishing images of the two presidents. However, the explosions represent a significant setback for Syria's new leadership, which has been actively working to project an image of stability and attract foreign investment since the removal of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. Macron's visit is particularly noteworthy as he is the first major Western leader to travel to Syria following Assad's departure, signifying a major recognition of President al-Sharaa's government.
France has emerged as a key supporter of al-Sharaa's administration, advocating for the lifting of US sanctions on Syria and playing a crucial role in mediating relations between Syria and Israel. Following their meeting, Macron and al-Sharaa announced the impending designation of ambassadors, marking a substantial resumption of diplomatic ties that were severed by France in 2012 in response to Assad's crackdown on protests.
Macron was accompanied by a prominent economic delegation, including Rodolphe Saadé, head of the shipping giant CMA CGM, and Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies. French companies subsequently signed more than a dozen agreements aimed at boosting investor confidence in the war-battered nation. These deals include projects to rebuild damaged water and electricity infrastructure in Homs, provide technical assistance to Syria's central bank, and enhance capacity at Damascus airport with CMA CGM. Another agreement initiated the process of returning £43.6 million in illicit assets taken from Syria by Rifaat al-Assad, Bashar al-Assad's late uncle.
The Syrian interior ministry confirmed that one IED was placed in a parked car, while a video showed another device exploding near what appeared to be a bin, injuring four police officers. An investigation is currently underway to identify those responsible. This incident follows another attack last Thursday, where an IED in a busy cafe near the Justice Palace in Damascus killed at least 10 people and wounded over 20. Damascus had largely been spared from violence until recently, even as other parts of the country experienced kidnappings and assassinations as the new government strives to assert its authority. The nation continues to grapple with attacks from various armed groups, including Islamic State and factions linked to the former Assad regime, alongside the severe economic challenges stemming from 14 years of conflict and sanctions.