Explosions rock Damascus as Macron holds talks with Syrian President Al-Sharaa (Videos)
Smoke rose from a location near a luxury hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron spent the night.
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Two explosions occurred on Tuesday in central Damascus, followed by smoke rising from an area near a luxury hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron spent the night.
A security source told Syrian News that two rudimentary explosive devices detonated in the Syrian capital, while internal security forces launched search operations to identify those responsible.
لحظة وقوع الانفجار في دمشق pic.twitter.com/IuIT6KPICu
— Annahar Al Arabi (@AnnaharAr) July 7, 2026
The blasts were heard across several areas of Damascus, before clouds of smoke rose and ambulances rushed to the scene.
The explosions occurred as Macron, the first Western head of state to visit Damascus since the fall of the previous regime, was holding official talks with his Syrian counterpart Ahmad Al-Sharaa at the presidential palace.
فيديو آخر يُظهر سيارة مشتعلة عقب الانفجار في دمشق pic.twitter.com/yOFXIs16eX
— Annahar النهار (@Annahar) July 7, 2026
According to the Élysée Palace, Macron did not hear any explosions while he was on his way to meet the Syrian president, adding that “Macron’s visit to Syria is continuing despite the two explosions in Damascus.”
The Interior Ministry announced that 18 people were injured, including four police officers, in the two explosions in Damascus.
Macron Holds Official Talks with Al-Sharaa in Damascus
The French president held official talks on Tuesday with his Syrian counterpart during the second day of his unprecedented visit to Damascus, with discussions focusing on the reconstruction of the war-torn country and reaffirming his message on Syria’s unity and diversity.
Emmanuel Macron began his meetings by meeting with representatives of civil society before heading to the presidential palace to meet with Ahmad Al-Sharaa for official talks, followed by an economic forum dedicated to Syria’s reconstruction and strategic corridors.