A pair of explosions rocked the Syrian capital of Damascus near the downtown Four Seasons hotel, where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during a state visit, Syrian state media reported Tuesday.Eighteen people, including four police officers, were injured by improvised explosive devices (IEDs) on Tuesday, Syria's interior ministry reported through state outlet SANA.According to the ministry, both bombs exploded after security forces had discovered them, "while preparations for the disposal operation were underway."BRIEF ALCOHOL BAN IN DAMASCUS SPARKS CONCERNS ABOUT PRESIDENT AL-SHARAA'S VISION FOR SYRIAThe bombs were placed inside a car and a garbage can near the hotel where Macron was staying during his visit, the first Syrian state visit by the leader of a Western country since Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa took over for the now-deposed former President Bashar al-Assad in 2025.A spokesman for Élysée Palace said Macron was not in his hotel during the explosions and didn't even hear them.He continued his visit with al-Sharaa, according to both Élysée Palace and SANA.France's President Emmanuel Macron shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Sharaa at the People's Palace in Damascus, Syria, July 7, 2026.
(REUTERS/Mahmoud Hassano)While not commenting on the explosions directly, Macron posted a statement on X shortly after the incident.ISRAEL FORTIFIES BORDER WITH JORDAN AS IRAN SEEKS NEW TERROR PATH"Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria.This morning I met Syria in all its diversity.
I saw dignity, courage, and determination.My visit continues," he wrote.Syria's President Ahmed al-Sharaa greets supporters after meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House in Washington, D.C., NOV.
10, 2025.(Lubna Allababidi/Handout via REUTERS)Syria's Ministry of the Interior confirmed the explosions but stressed that they were outside the security perimeter design...