Two explosions in Damascus during Macron's visit

BarcelonaAt least two explosions have shaken Damascus, the capital of Syria, this Tuesday during the visit of French President Emmanuel Macron, the first European head of state to travel to the country since Bashar al-Assad was overthrown in December 2024. It has not been revealed if there are any victims.

According to a security source speaking to Reuters, the explosions took place near the hotel where Macron was staying, but Elysée sources cited by the same agency confirm that the French leader was not at the accommodation at the time of the events and did not even hear the explosions. Following the detonations, the origin of which is unclear, several roads were blocked and various security measures were implemented. Syrian television is showing images of columns of smoke rising over the Damascus sky.

Macron, in fact, was on his way to the presidential palace, where shortly after he met with his Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Sharaa. The visit evidences the European will to normalize relations with Syria under Sharaa's mandate, former commander of Al-Qaeda. The Syrian leader, for his part, seeks partners to help him fulfill his promise to build a new inclusive order in Syria, after nearly 13 years of civil war. But, despite his efforts, the country has suffered several clashes between pro-government forces and members of minority religious and ethnic groups, which last year left hundreds dead.