French President Emmanuel Macron said Tuesday his visit to Syria continues despite the explosions near his hotel in Damascus earlier, according to i24NEWS. The Elysee Palace said Macron did not hear the blasts and was unharmed. A Syrian security source said the explosions were caused by an explosive device.
French President Emmanuel Macron confirmed Tuesday that his visit to Syria continues despite the explosions near his hotel in Damascus earlier in the day, stating that Syrians aspire to live in a secure, sovereign state, as reported by i24NEWS. The Elysee Palace said Macron did not hear the blasts and was unharmed. A Syrian security source said the explosions were caused by an explosive device.
This statement follows a series of developments The Zioneer has tracked since the morning. At 10:45 Jerusalem, we reported that Macron had met with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa in Damascus. Shortly after, the Elysee Palace confirmed at 11:26 Jerusalem that Macron was en route to the meeting and had not heard the explosions. By 11:14 Jerusalem, Al Jazeera reported that Macron had arrived at the presidential palace, having left his hotel roughly 15 minutes before the blasts. New footage of the explosions emerged by 12:33 Jerusalem, and by 12:44 Jerusalem, the Syrian Interior Ministry said two improvised bombs detonated near the Ministry of Tourism, wounding 18 people including four police officers; the ministry said the area was outside the security zone for Macron's residence. At 13:02 Jerusalem, Macron posted on X that nothing can undermine Syrians' desire for a secure, sovereign Syria — a message echoed in his statement to i24NEWS.
As The Zioneer reported on Monday, Macron's arrival in Damascus marks the first official visit by a Western head of state to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime. The meeting with al-Sharaa is ongoing, with discussions expected to cover bilateral relations and post-war reconstruction.
The cause of the explosions — reported as an explosive device by a Syrian security source and as two improvised bombs by the Interior Ministry — remains under investigation. Security forces were reportedly tracking the devices when they detonated. No group has claimed responsibility as of the latest reporting.
5 developments
- StrongNew footage emerges of Damascus explosions during Macron's visit
- DevelopingElysee: Macron did not hear Damascus explosions, on his way to Syria meeting
- StrongMacron arrived at Syrian president's palace after explosions near his hotel
- StrongSyrian Interior Ministry: Damascus cafe blast was improvised bomb, 9 dead
Source and signal
- Internal intake