Explosions Near Macron's Damascus Hotel as French President Visits Syria

Two explosions occurred near the Four Seasons hotel in Damascus on Tuesday morning shortly after 10:00 a.m., where French President Emmanuel Macron had stayed overnight. Syrian security sources told Reuters that the blasts involved two explosive devices, one planted in a car bomb and the other in a trash bin near the hotel in central Damascus. Eighteen people were injured, including four police officers, but Macron's convoy had left the area 15 minutes before the explosions.

Shortly after the blasts, Syrian state television showed Macron being received at the presidential palace by Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The French presidential palace later confirmed Macron was safe and had not heard any explosions on his way to meet al-Sharaa.

Macron arrived in Damascus on Monday, becoming the first major Western leader to visit Syria since the civil war began in 2011 and since al-Sharaa's rise to power in late 2024 after the rapid overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime. The visit is seen as a milestone in al-Sharaa's efforts to restore Syria's international standing amid lingering Western skepticism about his leadership.

Macron's visit included a dinner and a visit to the Umayyad Mosque with al-Sharaa. His delegation includes top business figures aiming to discuss Syria's reconstruction and renewed foreign investment, despite ongoing security concerns and Western sanctions. Macron's office described the visit as "courageous" given Syria's instability and emphasized his intent to engage with a broad spectrum of Syrian society.

Al-Sharaa, formerly a jihadist leader known as Mohammed al-Julani, has sought to present himself as a moderate leader committed to rebuilding Syria after 14 years of devastating civil war. However, Western doubts remain due to reported atrocities by forces loyal to him. Macron aims to promote a "free, pluralistic Syria" that respects all communities and to ease regional tensions, particularly amid ongoing conflicts involving Turkey, Israel, and Lebanon.

Macron's visit precedes the NATO summit in Turkey, where he is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump. The French delegation includes executives from major companies like CMA-CGM and TotalEnergies, signaling France's interest in Syria's economic recovery despite hesitations among French firms.