Syrian authorities confirmed on Thursday that they have apprehended several suspects accused of orchestrating a string of recent explosions across Damascus. Among the incidents cited by officials were the bombings that occurred earlier this week during the landmark visit of French President Emmanuel Macron.
According to an official with the Internal Security Forces, the Islamic State group was responsible for the attacks, although the extremist organization has not officially claimed them. The Interior Ministry stated that security forces conducted raids throughout the capital and surrounding areas, successfully dismantling the entire cell believed to be behind the bombings.
Brig. Gen. Ahmad al-Dalati, the Internal Security Forces’ commander for the rural Damascus province, reported to state television that investigators identified one member of the IS-affiliated cell using security camera footage, which allowed them to track and apprehend the remaining suspects.
The bombings during President Macron’s visit involved explosive devices planted in a garbage bin and a parked car. Macron, who was inside the presidential palace at the time, remained unharmed and proceeded with his scheduled meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The Ministry of Health reported that these specific explosions resulted in one death and left 36 others wounded.
These security incidents follow an explosion last week at a cafe near the city’s main judicial complex, which killed at least 10 people and injured more than 20. The attacks present a significant challenge to President al-Sharaa, who is attempting to solidify control over the country. Al-Sharaa has been working to gain the support of Western governments and minorities skeptical of his government’s Islamist-led rule, following the ousting of former President Bashar Assad in December 2024.
Syria continues to navigate the aftermath of a nearly 14-year civil war that claimed nearly half a million lives and caused widespread destruction. While the government has pledged economic and political reforms, the nation faces the immense task of rebuilding infrastructure and addressing deep-seated poverty, requiring hundreds of billions of dollars in investment.
The explosions are a challenge to al-Sharaa, who has pushed to assert full control over Syria. He has appealed to minorities skeptical of his government's Islamist-led rule and sought to win support of Western governments concerned about his past leadership of the formerly al-Qaida-linked group known as Hayat Tahrir al-Sham.
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