Twin explosions injured 18 people on Tuesday morning in the Syrian capital of Damascus, near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron is staying during his historic visit to the country.

According to reports, Macron’s convoy left the hotel shortly before the explosions occurred.

The second explosion went off next to an ambulance that had arrived at the scene.

Syrian state television broadcast images after the explosions showing Macron, healthy and unharmed, being received at the presidential palace by Syrian President Ahmad al‑Sharaa.

The Élysée Palace stated that Macron “did not hear any explosions on his way to the Syrian president.”

The incident took place on the second day of Macron’s visit to Syria — a visit considered historic because it is the first time a leader of a major Western country has visited Syria since the fall of Bashar al‑Assad’s regime in December 2024.

The Saudi Ad Hadath channel reported that several people were injured in the explosions, while Iranian-affiliated media reported that the blast occurred inside a bus belonging to the Syrian Ministry of Tourism. According to reports in Arab media, at least one car bomb was involved in the incident. No information has yet been released regarding casualties or the exact nature of the explosions, and no group has claimed responsibility.

Macron is meeting this week with senior Syrian officials and regional leaders, including the Sultan of Oman, whom he recently hosted in Paris. The visit to Syria comes amid diplomatic efforts to ease regional tensions and promote stability in the Middle East.

(YWN Israel Desk—Jerusalem)