Blasts wound four during Macron’s first major Western visit to Syria
Macron had entered the presidential palace to meet al-Sharaa when the explosions happened near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Syrian media reported he was staying. A large plume of smoke was visible from the blast site on a busy street near the Tourism Ministry and the Damascus National Museum. Footage circulated on social media showed a van and motorcycle on fire and blood stains on the street.
The French president’s office said Macron was safe and that his meeting with al-Sharaa continued. Syrian state television, citing an unnamed security official, reported that the two blasts were caused by explosive devices — one placed in a garbage bin and the other in a parked car. The report said four people were wounded, and no deaths were immediately reported. Authorities said an investigation was underway.
No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.
Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa came to power after leading an insurgency that ousted President Bashar Assad in 2024. Macron played a major role in pushing Europe and the United States to drop most sanctions on Syria. He arrived in the country Monday night with an economic delegation and was scheduled to sign memorandums of understanding with his counterpart as Syria seeks to attract investors to help rebuild after 14 years of war that killed nearly half a million people and displaced millions.