Mysterious Explosion Near Damascus Central Court Kills Five, Injures Over Ten

A mysterious explosion occurred on Thursday near the Central Court in Damascus, Syria, killing at least five people and injuring more than ten. The blast took place at a local café adjacent to the court building. Authorities have not yet identified those responsible for the attack.

Footage shared on social media showed the café area stained with blood, with victims being evacuated on open trucks. Syrian security forces have launched a manhunt for the perpetrators.

The incident comes amid ongoing instability in Syria, where various terrorist groups, including ISIS, have been active. ISIS has recently regained some operational capability in the country and frequently targets the regime of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham leader Abu Mohammad al-Julani.

Last week, the U.S. Central Command announced it killed a senior ISIS operative in a drone strike in northwest Syria, part of continued efforts to dismantle remaining ISIS elements. The explosion near the Damascus court highlights the persistent security challenges facing the Syrian government and its allies.