On 7 July 2026, two explosive devices exploded near the Four Seasons Hotel Damascus, killing a person and wounding 36 more. The attacks occurred during the state visit of Emmanuel Macron there.[3][4][5]
| 2026 Damascus bombings | |
|---|---|
 Four Seasons Hotel Damascus in 2008, near where the bombings occurred | |
| Location | 33°30′47.8″N 36°17′29.8″E / 33.513278°N 36.291611°E Near the Four Seasons Hotel Damascus, Syria |
| Date | 7 July 2026 c. 11:00 (AST) |
| Target | Emmanuel Macron (alleged)[1] |
| Deaths | 1 |
| Injured | 36 |
| Perpetrators |  Islamic State (accused)[2] |
Background
editFollowing the fall of President Bashar al-Assad on 8 December 2024, Syria's new government struggled to establish full control over the country and to contain attacks by extremist groups and remnants of the former regime. The country also experienced a resurgence of attacks by the Islamic State, which exploited gaps in security and targeted civilians, religious minorities and government-controlled areas.[6]
On 2 July 2026, an explosive device detonated at a café near Damascus' main judicial complex in the Midan neighbourhood, killing 10 people and injuring 21 others.[7] No group claimed responsibility for the attack, though many Syrians blamed loyalists of the former Assad regime. During funeral processions on 3 July, mourners called for those responsible to be brought to justice.[7] On the same day, a man on a motorcycle attacked a security checkpoint in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana with hand grenades, wounding three security personnel before being killed when another grenade exploded in his hand. Syrian authorities arrested another suspect in connection with the attack.[8]
Bombing
editAt approximately 11:00 AST on 7 July 2026, two improvised explosive devices detonated approximately between the Four Seasons Hotel and the Ministry of Tourism building in Damascus while French President Emmanuel Macron was on a state visit to Syria.[4][9]
According to the Syrian Ministry of Interior, security forces had discovered two improvised explosive devices near the hotel. One bomb was placed in a dumpster, and the other bomb was placed in a parked vehicle near the Four Seasons Hotel.[1] Ministry spokesperson Nour al-Baba stated that the bombs had been planted only minutes before the explosions.[10] The explosions injured at least 18 people, including civilians and members of the security forces.[5] The blasts damaged several nearby vehicles and shattered windows of surrounding buildings, including structures in the vicinity of the Four Seasons Hotel.[3] As of 8 July 2026, the Ministry of Health reported one death and 36 injuries.[11]
The first explosion occurred shortly after Macron's motorcade had departed the Four Seasons Hotel for the People's Palace, where he was scheduled to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.[9] The Élysée confirmed that Macron was safe and would continue his visit to Damascus.[12]
Perpetrators
editOn 9 July 2026, the Syrian Ministry of Interior announced the arrest of all members of a cell accused of carrying out the Damascus bombings during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit. Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab and Rif Dimashq internal security commander Ahmed al-Dalati said that security forces had conducted coordinated raids in Damascus and its countryside, including areas such as al-Qutayfah, Sayyidah Zaynab, Qudsaya, and Ash al-Warwar, and had captured an Islamic State-linked cell they claimed were responsible for the attacks.[13][14]
Reactions
editPresident Emmanuel Macron expressed solidarity with those injured in the Damascus bombings and stressed the need to remain uncompromising on security, saying the attacks should not destabilize Syria or undermine the path toward reconstruction and stability.[15]
International and regional condemnations and expressions of solidarity came from Egypt,[16] Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon,[17] Oman,[18] Palestine,[19] Qatar, Saudi Arabia,[20] Turkey,[21] the United Arab Emirates,[22] the Gulf Cooperation Council, and the Muslim World League.[23][24]
References
edit- 1 2 "French President Emmanuel Macron safe after bomb blasts near his hotel in Damascus - CBS News". www.cbsnews.com. 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Syria says preliminary probe links Damascus bomb cell to Islamic State". Reuters. 9 July 2026. Retrieved 10 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Bomb attack rocks Damascus during Macron visit". Reuters. 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Explosion near Macron's Damascus hotel as French president meets Syrian counterpart". CNN. 7 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Explosions rock Syria's capital as French President Macron visits". AP News. 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ Schaer, Cathrin (7 December 2025). "One year after Assad's fall: What has Syria achieved?". DW.
- 1 2 Al Jurdi, Wessam; Blackburn, Gavin (3 July 2026). "Mourners in Damascus bury cafe bomb blast victims as officials promise justice". Euronews.
- ↑ "Assailant killed after grenade attack injures three security personnel in Jaramana". SANA. 3 July 2026.
- 1 2 "Explosions in Damascus during Macron visit to Syria: What we know". Al Jazeera. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Interior Ministry: Initial lead discovered in Damascus twin terrorist attack". SANA. 7 July 2026. Retrieved 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "One dead, 36 injured in final toll from Damascus terrorist blasts". SANA. 8 July 2026. Retrieved 8 July 2026.
- ↑ "French President Emmanuel Macron safe after bomb blasts near his hotel in Damascus". CBS News. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Syrian Interior Ministry Says Damascus Bombing Suspects Arrested". Enab Baladi. 9 July 2026.
- ↑ "Syria authorities say captured IS-linked cell behind blasts". France 24. 10 July 2026.
- ↑ "Macron, Sharaa want to turn Syria into an energy hub again". L'Orient Today. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Egypt condemns Damascus bombings, reiterates support for Syria's security". State Information Service. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Aoun condemns Damascus bombing". MTV Lebanon. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Oman condemns Damascus bombings". Oman Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Presidency condemns deadly bombings in Damascus". WAFA. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Saudi Arabia Strongly Condemns the Cowardly Terrorist Attack on Damascus". Asharq Al-Awsat. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "No: 128, 7 July 2026, Regarding the Bombings in Damascus, the Capital of Syria". Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Türkiye. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "UAE Condemns Two Terrorist Bombings in Damascus and Affirms Solidarity with Syria". UAE Ministry of Foreign Affairs. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Arab States and Regional Organizations Condemn Damascus Bombings". Qatar News Agency. 7 July 2026.
- ↑ "Arab nations condemn twin explosions in Damascus, vow support for Syria's stability". Middle East Monitor. 7 July 2026.