Explosions Rock Damascus During Macron's Historic Visit to Syria

WHO:

AP News - President Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed Macron at the presidential palace.

Al Jazeera - Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to travel to the ongoing NATO summit to meet with United States President Trump.

CNN - Macron was unharmed and was already at the Presidential Palace when the explosions occurred, according to the Élysée Palace.

CNN - Macron is the third head of state to visit Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, following the emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.

CNN - French President Emmanuel Macron met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.

CNN - At least 18 people were injured in the explosions, including four police officers.

WHAT:

AP News - Macron and al-Sharaa announced they have agreed to reappoint ambassadors after more than a decade, marking a major restoration of diplomatic ties.

AP News - Macron's visit is seen as a major boost for Syria's new authorities in their bid to rebuild the country, with over a dozen agreements signed with Paris and large French companies.

Al Jazeera - Macron stated, “Nothing can suppress the aspirations of the Syrian people to live in a fully sovereign, secure, pluralistic and united Syria” following the explosions.

Al Jazeera - Macron's office announced that France and Syria have begun a process to return 51 million euros ($58.3 million) to Syria, which were confiscated from al-Assad’s late uncle, Rifaat al-Assad.

CNN - The twin explosions occurred while security officers were trying to dismantle two explosive devices found during field operations, according to state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

CNN - The explosions injured at least 18 people, including four police officers, as reported by SANA.

CNN - The twin explosions occurred less than a week after a separate attack in the Syrian capital that killed nine people and injured 22 others.

CNN - Two separate explosions occurred in Damascus.

CNN - The explosions injured at least 18 people.

CNN - Authorities launched an investigation to determine the circumstances of the attack.

CNN - The first explosive device was placed inside a vehicle, and the second was planted inside a garbage container.

WHERE:

CNN - One explosion occurred next to the Four Seasons Hotel, and another blast went off beside the nearby Ministry of Tourism in Damascus, according to a Syrian official.

CNN - The site of the explosion was reported to be “outside the security perimeter” designated for Macron’s residence.

CNN - The explosions took place near the Four Seasons Hotel and the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus, Syria.

CNN - The Four Seasons Hotel is located in the heart of Damascus and is regularly used by overseas visitors.

WHEN:

CNN - Macron's visit marks the first official visit by a Western leader to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024.

CNN - Macron arrived in Syria on Monday evening local time.

WHY:

CNN - Authorities launched an investigation to determine the circumstances of the attack and identify those involved, as stated by SANA.

CNN - The explosions occurred while security officers were attempting to dismantle two explosive devices found during field operations.

HOW:

AP News - Agreements include rebuilding the destroyed water and electricity infrastructure in Homs, providing technical assistance to Syria’s Central Bank, and bolstering cargo infrastructure at Damascus airport.

Al Jazeera - French shipping group CMA CGM has signed a partnership deal with Syria to handle air freight at Damascus International Airport, following a previous contract for the firm to operate two dry ports in the country.

CNN - The first device was placed inside a vehicle parked on the side of the road, while the second was planted inside a garbage container, according to SANA.

CNN - Both explosive devices were described as being made “in a primitive way” by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

CNN - The explosive devices were made “in a primitive way,” according to state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

(UPDATED July 8, 2026 02:50 UTC)

President Ahmed al-Sharaa welcomed Macron at the presidential palace, where they announced a significant restoration of diplomatic ties by agreeing to reappoint ambassadors after more than a decade. Macron's visit is viewed as a major boost for Syria's new authorities in their efforts to rebuild the country, with over a dozen agreements signed with Paris and large French companies. These agreements include plans to rebuild the destroyed water and electricity infrastructure in Homs, provide technical assistance to Syria’s Central Bank, and enhance cargo infrastructure at Damascus airport.

(UPDATED July 7, 2026 17:40 UTC)

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa is expected to travel to the ongoing NATO summit to meet with President Trump. In the wake of recent explosions, French President Macron emphasized that “nothing can suppress the aspirations of the Syrian people to live in a fully sovereign, secure, pluralistic and united Syria,” while also announcing that France and Syria have initiated a process to return 51 million euros, or about $58.3 million, that were confiscated from al-Assad’s late uncle. Additionally, the French shipping group CMA CGM has signed a partnership deal with Syria to manage air freight at Damascus International Airport, building on a previous contract to operate two dry ports in the country.

(UPDATED July 7, 2026 15:52 UTC)

In Damascus, twin explosions injured at least 18 people, including four police officers, as security officers attempted to dismantle two explosive devices found during field operations. One blast occurred next to the Four Seasons Hotel, while the other went off beside the nearby Ministry of Tourism, prompting authorities to launch an investigation to uncover the circumstances of the attack and identify those responsible. The first device was reportedly placed inside a vehicle parked on the side of the road, and the second was hidden inside a garbage container.

(UPDATED July 7, 2026 13:40 UTC)

President Macron has become the third head of state to visit Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, following the emir of Qatar and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This visit comes just days after twin explosions rocked the Syrian capital, which had already seen a separate attack that killed nine people and injured 22 others. The explosions occurred outside the security perimeter designated for Macron’s residence, and both devices were described as being made in a primitive way by the state-run Syrian Arab News Agency.

(UPDATED July 7, 2026 11:49 UTC)

In a significant development, French President Macron met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, marking the first official visit by a Western leader to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024. This meeting occurred amidst chaos, as two separate explosions near the Four Seasons Hotel and the Ministry of Tourism injured at least 18 people, including four police officers, while authorities investigated the circumstances surrounding the attack. The explosive devices, described as being made “in a primitive way,” were discovered during security operations, with one placed inside a vehicle and the other in a garbage container.