Macron Safe After Damascus Explosions During French President's Visit
French President Emmanuel Macron was unharmed after two bombs detonated near his meeting hall in central Damascus, the Elysee Palace said on Tuesday. The blasts, said officials, were caused by two explosive devices and left several civilians wounded, but Macron’s contingent did not hear any of the sounds.
Macron was in the capital for talks with Syrian Foreign Minister Ahmed al‑Sharaa at the presidential palace. While the explosion was captured live on social media, livestream footage shows emergency workers battling flames and smoke.
The French president is set to head to Turkey for the NATO summit after the Damascus visit. The Elysee stated that all activities “continue as planned”.
BBC Verify analyzed the video footage and located the blasts approximately 125 metres from the Four Seasons hotel on Shoukry al‑Quowatly street, a main thoroughfare in the city.
Syrian state television welcomed Macron to the palace and reported that the official met him without incident. Security sources confirmed that he did not hear any explosions on his way to the meeting.
When Macron arrived in Syria on Monday evening, he became the first EU leader to visit the country since Bashar al‑Assad’s 24‑year rule ended.
Earlier in July, a bomb blast at a crowded cafe in central Damascus killed at least nine people and injured 22, according to Syrian state media. The incident, linked to militant groups, highlighted ongoing instability in the city.
