Explosions Near Hotel Hosting French President Macron During Damascus Visit

Several explosive devices detonated near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron is staying during his official visit to Damascus, according to Reuters. Macron had already left the hotel before the blasts occurred and proceeded to the palace of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in the city. The explosions, described as a series of blasts caused by improvised explosive devices, shook the area adjacent to Macron's hotel, as reported by a security source on the second day of his unprecedented official visit to Syria.

Saudi Al-Hadath channel reported injuries resulting from the explosions, while Iranian-affiliated media claimed the blast took place inside a bus belonging to the Syrian Ministry of Tourism. Arab media also indicated that at least one car bomb was involved. No official information has been released regarding casualties or the exact nature of the explosions, and no group has claimed responsibility.

Macron is scheduled to hold formal talks with Syrian President Bashar al-Assad today. This visit marks the first by a major Western leader to Syria since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2014. Macron's arrival yesterday was historic, as he is the first European Union leader to visit Syria since the regime's crackdown on civilians during the Arab Spring protests. It is also the first French presidential visit to Damascus since Nicolas Sarkozy's trip in 2009, prior to France severing diplomatic ties with Syria due to the regime's violent actions against protesters.