French President Emmanuel Macron escaped unhurt after two explosive devices detonated near the Damascus hotel where he was staying, triggering a major security operation and plunging his high-profile Syria visit into chaos.
The blasts ripped through a busy area of the Syrian capital close to the Four Seasons Damascus, where Macron had been staying during his first visit to Syria following the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime.
Smoke was seen rising over Damascus after the explosions left 18 people injured, including four local police officers, according to security sources.
One device was reportedly discovered inside a bin, while another was found in a vehicle close to the hotel, raising fears that the attack was deliberately timed to coincide with the French President’s visit.
The Elysee Palace confirmed Macron was not harmed and said he had already left the area in a motorcade when the explosions occurred.
The French leader was travelling to meet Syria’s new authorities when the blasts struck and reportedly did not hear the explosions.
Syrian security forces immediately sealed roads around the area and launched searches to identify those responsible.
The attack came as Macron became the first European Union leader to visit Syria since Assad’s regime collapsed in 2024, a move intended to signal a new chapter in relations with the war-torn country.
🚨#Damascus: Additional footage of the terrorist bombings that took place near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus, where French President #Macron is staying.
❗️ Not one terrorist bombing, several… https://t.co/ZfxdTWMeN0 pic.twitter.com/qFuGKIWOqj
— Syria Justice Archive (@SyJusticeArc) July 7, 2026
Ahead of his visit, Macron said France wanted to show its support for a “sovereign Syria, united in its diversity and at peace with its neighbours”.
But the diplomatic message was overshadowed by a stark reminder of the security challenges facing the country.
The Damascus explosions come amid growing concerns over a resurgence of Islamist militant activity in the region.
A bombing at a café in the Syrian capital last week killed nine people and injured another 20, while no group has claimed responsibility for that attack.
Meanwhile, Islamic State has claimed responsibility for several attacks since February, with other jihadist groups also carrying out violence following the collapse of Assad’s government.
The latest blasts underline the fragile security situation confronting Syria’s new leadership as it attempts to rebuild the country after more than a decade of civil war.
Macron is expected to continue his international engagements after leaving Damascus, including travelling to a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
However, the explosions near his hotel have cast a long shadow over a visit designed to project stability and diplomatic renewal — exposing the continuing threat posed by militant networks operating inside Syria.
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