Two explosions in central Damascus injured 18 people, including four police officers, Syrian state news agency SANA reported on Tuesday, citing the Interior Ministry, as French President Emmanuel Macron continued his official visit to Syria.
According to SANA, security forces had identified two improvised explosive devices near the Ministry of Tourism and were attempting to defuse them when the explosions occurred. The agency, citing the Interior Ministry, said one device had been hidden inside a parked vehicle, while the other was concealed in a roadside waste container.
Macron’s trip is the first by a Western European head of state since Syria’s political transition in late 2024 and comes as Damascus seeks to rebuild ties with European nations.
Shortly after arriving, Macron said France remained committed to supporting the Syrian people and called for a future built on stability and peace.
In a separate post on social media, the French president said he had met Syrians from different backgrounds and praised their dignity, courage and determination. He added that nothing should stand in the way of Syrians’ aspirations for a sovereign, secure, pluralistic and united country, and said his visit would continue as planned.