A dramatic morning in Damascus: a car exploded near the hotel where the French president is staying

An explosion occurred this morning (Tuesday) near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during his visit to Syria. According to the reports, it is a car bomb that exploded in the hotel area. Macron had already left the place a short time before, and later met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara at the presidential palace. According to reports in Syria, 18 people were injured in the incident, including 4 policemen.

The Saudi Al-Hadth network reported that Macron left the hotel about fifteen minutes before the explosion. Later, the Elysee Palace also said that the French President “did not even hear the explosions”, because he was already on his way to the Presidential Palace. At the same time, it was reported in Syria that President Ahmed al-Shara welcomed Macron in the palace.

At the same time, a Syrian security source said that two improvised explosive devices exploded in Damascus, and that the internal security forces are working to locate those involved in the incident.

Macron arrived in Damascus yesterday, becoming the first Western head of state to visit Syria since the fall of Bashar Assad’s regime. Upon his landing, Macron was received by Syrian Foreign Minister Asad al-Shaybani, and later he arrived at the presidential palace, where he met with al-Shara. The visit of the French president is considered a significant milestone in Syria’s relations with the West, after years of political disconnection.

Macron, as mentioned, is the first leader of a Western power to visit Syria since Ahmed al-Shara came to power, but he is not the first foreign leader to do so. Even before his visit, several leaders from the Arab world arrived in Damascus, as well as the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky and the President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen. Macron was also the first Western leader to meet with Al-Shara, when he hosted him at the Elysee Palace in Paris last year.

The visit to Damascus was held on Macron’s way to the NATO summit that will open in Ankara, where he is expected to meet with the President of the United States Donald Trump. The French delegation was also joined by senior officials from the business sector, who are expected to hold discussions regarding the reconstruction of Syria and investments in the country.