The blasts happened just moments into one of the most symbolic diplomatic visits Syria has seen in years. While French President Emmanuel Macron was unharmed, the explosions served as a stark reminder that even as Syria seeks to reconnect with the world, violence remains close at hand.
For a country trying to convince the international community that it is turning a page, the timing could hardly have been worse.
Just as French President Emmanuel Macron met Syria’s interim leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, in Damascus on Tuesday, two explosive devices detonated in the heart of the capital, injuring at least 18 people and shaking one of the city’s busiest areas.
The blasts occurred near the hotel where Macron had been staying, although French officials quickly confirmed the president was safe and had not heard the explosions. His visit continued without interruption.
A security source told the BBC that two explosive devices caused the attack. Syrian state media later reported that 18 people were injured, including four police officers, though authorities have yet to identify those responsible.
Videos shared on social media showed thick black smoke rising above central Damascus while flames engulfed a damaged vehicle. BBC Verify later analysed the footage and found that the explosions happened roughly 125 metres from the Four Seasons Hotel, a location often used by visiting diplomats and foreign officials.
Despite the attack, events at the presidential palace carried on.
“The visit continues as planned,” the Élysée Palace said after confirming Macron’s safety.
Almost at the same time reports of the explosions began circulating online, Syrian state television broadcast images of Ahmed al-Sharaa welcoming Macron for official talks.
The visit itself carries considerable political weight.
Macron arrived in Syria on Monday evening, becoming the first European Union leader to visit the country since al-Sharaa assumed power following the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s government in December 2024. For Damascus, the visit represents a rare sign that years of diplomatic isolation may slowly be coming to an end.
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Still, Tuesday’s explosions exposed just how fragile the country’s security situation remains.
Al-Sharaa, once associated with al-Qaeda before emerging as Syria’s transitional leader, has promised to unite a country fractured by more than a decade of civil war and decades of authoritarian rule under the Assad family. Yet his government continues to face threats from multiple armed groups operating across the country.
Among them is the Islamic State group, which has claimed responsibility for several attacks targeting government institutions in recent months. At the same time, Syria has also witnessed deadly violence involving pro-government forces and religious and ethnic minority communities, further complicating efforts to restore stability.
The latest attack follows another deadly bombing only weeks ago.
At the beginning of July, an explosion ripped through a crowded café in central Damascus, killing at least nine people and injuring 22 others, according to Syrian state media. That incident heightened concerns that militant groups remain capable of carrying out attacks even in heavily secured parts of the capital.
Tuesday’s explosions are likely to reinforce those fears, especially with high-profile foreign visitors now returning to Syria after years of avoiding the country because of conflict.
Security, however, is only one part of Macron’s agenda.
His discussions with al-Sharaa are also expected to focus heavily on Syria’s struggling economy, where years of war, sanctions and damaged infrastructure have left millions facing hardship. Reconstruction remains one of the government’s biggest challenges, with large parts of the country still requiring massive investment before normal life can fully resume.
Following his meetings in Damascus, Macron is expected to travel to Turkey for the upcoming NATO summit, according to French officials.
For Syria, welcoming a European leader was meant to signal cautious progress after years of war and international isolation. Instead, the day’s events became a reminder that rebuilding a nation’s diplomatic standing may prove easier than rebuilding lasting security on the ground.
