Explosions near Macron's hotel in Damascus - President continues visit

Damascus – 07.07.2026: In the Syrian capital Damascus there were several explosions on Tuesday morning near the Four Seasons Hotel where France’s president Emmanuel Macron has been staying during his official visit. According to the Syrian Interior Ministry, at least 18 people were injured. French and international agencies report consistently that Macron remained uninjured and is continuing his schedule. Plumes of smoke, cordons and numerous emergency personnel were visible in footage from local media. Official information about the type of explosive devices or their triggering mechanism is not yet available.

The Élysée stated that the president did not personally perceive the detonations and is continuing the talks as planned. Security measures were adjusted in coordination with the Syrian authorities; details were not disclosed for operational security reasons. Sources close to the delegation said movement patterns and routes were reviewed and additional checkpoints were set up. There are currently no reports of French injuries.

The background is unclear. By early afternoon no group had claimed responsibility for the act. Observers point out that Damascus has had a fragile security situation since the political upheavals of 2024/2025, in which sporadic attacks, acts of sabotage and rival services complicate the situation. The affected area is located close to the Ministry of Tourism and is normally considered heavily secured, which suggests a targeted disruption of the visit, although this has not been confirmed.

Politically, Macron’s visit is noteworthy: he is the first Western head of state or government of a leading industrialized nation to officially travel to Syria since the takeover by interim president Ahmed al-Charaa. Paris thereby signals a willingness to engage in talks on regional stability, humanitarian aid and security issues, including the fight against remaining jihadist networks, the repatriation of foreign nationals and the protection of international aid deliveries. French government circles say the contacts also serve to open channels to neighboring countries and to mitigate the risks of further destabilization.

It remains unclear whether the explosions will have immediate effects on the day’s agenda. According to delegation sources, meetings with Syrian government representatives as well as visits to international organizations were on the schedule. The Syrian authorities announced a joint analysis of video and telephone metadata to reconstruct movements before the detonations. Diplomatic circles said embassies in the region had updated their travel advisories and urged heightened vigilance in central districts of Damascus. Further clarification on the number of injured, damage assessments and possible sequences of events is expected during the course of the day.