Explosions rock Syria's capital during French President Macron's visit

By — Omar Albam, Associated Press Omar Albam, Associated Press By — Ghaith Alsayed, Associated Press Ghaith Alsayed, Associated Press By — Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Kareem Chehayeb, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/world/explosions-rock-syrias-capital-during-french-president-macrons-visit Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Explosions rock Syria's capital during French President Macron's visit World Jul 7, 2026 1:18 PM EDT DAMASCUS, Syria (AP) — Explosions rocked Syria's capital on Tuesday and injured at least 18 people as France's president met with his counterpart in a landmark visit to the country rebuilding from years of civil war, Syria's Interior Ministry said. It was the second attack in Damascus in a week and a setback for President Ahmad al-Sharaa as he welcomed the first major Western leader to visit since the ouster of longtime dictator Bashar Assad by insurgent groups in late 2024. Syria's new rulers have wrestled with outbreaks of violence as they assert control, but the capital had been largely peaceful. French President Emmanuel Macron was in the presidential palace when the explosions happened. An official from the Elysee Palace said he was safe and the meeting with al-Sharaa continued, speaking on condition of anonymity to discuss Macron's security. No group immediately claimed responsibility. "Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria," Macron said on X hours later. "This morning I met Syria in all its diversity. I saw dignity, courage and determination." WATCH: Syrian filmmaker gives an inside look at her return home after the fall of Assad regime Later, al-Sharaa and Macron announced they have agreed to reappoint ambassadors after more than a decade, marking a major restoration of diplomatic ties. "Our meeting marks a historical milestone," al-Sharaa said. France had closed its embassy in 2012 but symbolically reopened it in early 2025. Macron, who played a major role in pushing Europe and the United States to drop most sanctions that were imposed on Syria under Assad, was in Damascus before heading to Ankara, Turkey, later Tuesday for a NATO summit that al-Sharaa also would attend. A large plume of smoke was seen at the site of the blast near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Syrian media reported Macron was staying. Footage on social media showed a van and a motorcycle on fire and bloodstains on a busy street near the headquarters of the Tourism Ministry and the Damascus National Museum. The Interior Ministry in a statement reported by Syrian state media said one bomb had been placed in a garbage bin and the other in a parked car. It said four of the wounded were police officers, and no deaths were immediately reported. On Thursday, an explosive device detonated in a cafe near the Justice Palace, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than