Two improvised explosive devices detonated near the Four Seasons hotel in Damascus on Tuesday, wounding at least 18 people, according to Syrian authorities. The blasts occurred while French President Emmanuel Macron was meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the presidential palace. Macron was reported to be staying at the Four Seasons, which houses UN staff and foreign diplomats and is one of the most heavily guarded facilities in the Syrian capital.
Blasts Did Not Disrupt Macron's Visit
Syrian state media reported that the explosions did not interrupt Macron's visit, publishing images of the two presidents embracing at the palace. However, the attack was a setback for Syria's new rulers, who have sought to project stability and attract foreign investors since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.
Macron's Historic Visit
Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since Assad's fall. His meeting with Sharaa was seen as a significant recognition of the new leadership. Sharaa and his ministers have worked to distance themselves from their past as Islamist fighters in Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, which originated from al-Qaida. France has been one of the most supportive Western governments of Sharaa's rule, pushing the US to drop sanctions on Syria and mediating between Syria and Israel.
Macron posted on X after the explosion: “Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic and united Syria. This morning I met Syria in all its diversity. I saw dignity, courage and determination.”
Diplomatic and Economic Agreements
Macron and Sharaa announced they would designate ambassadors, resuming diplomatic ties after France severed relations in 2012 due to Assad's crackdown on protests. Macron was accompanied by an economic delegation, including Rodolphe Saadé, CEO of shipping conglomerate CMA CGM, and Patrick Pouyanné, CEO of TotalEnergies. French companies signed over a dozen agreements, aiming to boost investor confidence in the war-battered country. These included rebuilding water and electricity infrastructure in Homs, providing technical assistance to Syria's central bank, and capacity building for Damascus airport with CMA CGM. Another agreement initiated the return of £43.6 million in illicit assets taken from Syria by Rifaat al-Assad, the late uncle of Bashar al-Assad, who fled to France.
Details of the Attack
A video of one explosion showed Syrian police officers near a bin that detonated, wounding four officers. The interior ministry reported another IED placed in a parked car, bringing the total wounded to 18. An investigation is underway to determine responsibility. Last Thursday, an IED in a cafe near the Justice Palace killed at least 10 and wounded over 20; no group claimed responsibility.
Security and Economic Challenges
Syria has faced attacks from various armed groups, including Islamic State and former Assad regime-linked groups. Damascus had been largely spared until last week, even as other regions saw kidnappings and assassinations. The economic malaise from 14 years of war and sanctions remains the main challenge. About 90% of Syrians live in poverty, and infrastructure is in desperate need of repair. Basic services like electricity are inconsistent, even in Damascus.
