Explosives Detonate Near French President Macron's Damascus Hotel Minutes After His Departure

Several explosive devices detonated near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during his official visit to Syria. According to the Saudi news network Al-Hadath, Macron left the hotel about 15 minutes before the blasts occurred. No casualties have been reported so far.

Simultaneously, Syrian media reported that Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa welcomed Macron at the presidential palace in Damascus, where the two are expected to hold talks as part of Macron's visit. Macron arrived in Damascus the previous evening, becoming the first Western power leader to visit Syria since the outbreak of the civil war in 2011.

The visit takes place amid a recent regime change following the fall of Bashar al-Assad's government at the end of 2024 and the rise of President Ahmad al-Sharaa. It is seen as politically significant for the new regime, which aims to expand ties with Western countries and improve Syria's international standing.

Macron's visit to Damascus is en route to the NATO summit opening in Ankara. During his stay, he was received by Syrian Foreign Minister Assad al-Shibani. Leading executives from major shipping and energy companies accompanied the French delegation, expected to engage in discussions on Syria's reconstruction and potential future investments.