The Syrian Interior Ministry said two explosions near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus were caused by improvised explosive devices, wounding 18 people including four police officers. Security forces were tracking the devices and attempting to dismantle them when they detonated. The ministry said the area is outside the security zone for French President Emmanuel Macron's residence and posed no threat to his visit.
**The new development:** The Syrian Interior Ministry officially confirmed Tuesday afternoon that the two explosions near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus were caused by improvised explosive devices, wounding 18 people, including four police officers. The ministry said security forces were tracking the devices and preparing to dismantle them when they detonated. It stressed that the area is outside the security perimeter of French President Emmanuel Macron's residence and that the blasts posed no threat to his visit. The statement provides the first official account of the incident, following a morning of rapid, conflicting reports.
**The dated antecedents:** The Zioneer has been tracking the incident since a first report at 11:10 Jerusalem, which cited a Syrian security source saying two IEDs had detonated with no casualties initially. Within the same hour, Syrian state television reported four police officers wounded, then updated the toll to 18 wounded. An unconfirmed report at 11:10 Jerusalem described a coordinated double-tap attack, with a second device targeting first responders, a tactic reportedly used in a prior attack two months ago. A separate report at 11:26 Jerusalem noted that the Elysee Palace said Macron did not hear the explosions. The ministry's statement now provides an official casualty count of 18 wounded, with no mention of fatalities, revising earlier unconfirmed reports that had listed three or four dead.
**Attributed background:** The explosions occurred during Macron's first official visit to Syria. The Zioneer reported earlier (July 2-3) that a previous cafe bombing in Damascus, attributed to a one-kilogram improvised bomb, killed nine civilians. The current incident, targeting an area near the Tourism Ministry, does not appear to be directly linked to that attack. The ministry's framing of the security response suggests authorities were aware of the devices and attempting to neutralize them.
**What remains open:** It is unclear whether the double-tap report is accurate, or if the two devices were detonated simultaneously while being dismantled. The ministry did not address the earlier reports of fatalities. The investigation is ongoing, and no group has claimed responsibility.
8 developments
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- StrongNew footage emerges of Damascus explosions during Macron's visit
- DevelopingMacron responds to Damascus explosions: 'My visit continues, Syrians aspire to live in secure, sovereign Syria'
- DevelopingElysee: Macron did not hear Damascus explosions, on his way to Syria meeting
Source and signal
- Internal intake