Explosions rocked the heart of Damascus on Tuesday as French President Emmanuel Macron made a landmark visit to Syria, meeting his Syrian counterpart in the capital's presidential palace. Double blasts detonated near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron was reportedly staying.

According to Syrian state media citing an unnamed security official, two explosive devices were detonated in central Damascus while Macron was inside the presidential palace to meet Syrian President Ahmad al‑Sharaa.

A large plume of smoke rose from the site, and footage widely circulated on social media showed a vehicle on fire and blood stains on the street.

The French president’s office said Macron was safe and insisted that his visit to Syria was continuing, despite the incident. Damascus authorities did not issue an immediate detailed statement on the blasts, though state media later confirmed they were caused by explosive devices. There were no immediate official reports of casualties, and no group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The blasts on Tuesday came just days after a deadly explosion in a crowded cafe near the capital’s Palace of Justice. On 2 July, Syrian authorities said an improvised explosive device went off inside the cafe in the Hejaz district, killing at least nine people and injuring more than 20. The blast was near a key government building, sparking panic and drawing forensic and security investigations.

That earlier attack, like the Tuesday blasts, was attributed to an explosive device planted at the location, though no group immediately claimed responsibility.

Analysts and international media have noted that the country is still fragile after the fall of long‑time leader Bashar al‑Assad, with various attacks on religious minorities blamed on so‑called Islamic State militants and ongoing security challenges.

Macron’s historic visit to Syria

Macron’s arrival in Damascus on Monday evening marked the first visit by a European Union leader to Syria since Bashar al‑Assad’s sudden departure and the start of a transitional process under Ahmad al‑Sharaa’s government.

His trip, which includes high‑level meetings with Syrian authorities, is seen as a key step in shaping the West’s diplomatic engagement with the new leadership and addressing issues such as reconstruction, security, elections and the role of international actors.

The timing of the blasts, close to the Four Seasons Hotel where Macron was staying and during his meeting inside the presidential palace, underscored the persistent security risks in the capital even as diplomatic activity intensifies.

While the French president's office confirmed he was safe and that the visit continued, the incident has raised fresh concerns about the stability of key areas in central Damascus and the capacity of security forces to protect high‑profile diplomatic events.