07.07.2026 10:50
Explosions from bombs placed in a minibus and a garbage container near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying in Damascus caused panic. It was reported that Macron was in a meeting with Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara at the time of the blast, and that 18 people, including 4 police officers, were injured. Macron made history as the first Western leader to visit Syria after the fall of the Assad regime.
French President Emmanuel Macron made a historic visit to Damascus, the capital of Syria, for official contacts. Macron, the first European Union leader to visit Syria since the fall of the Assad regime, experienced an explosion near his hotel.
French President Emmanuel Macron arrived in Damascus, the capital of Syria, with a high-level delegation. Greeted at Damascus International Airport by Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, Macron made history as the first EU leader to visit Syria since the overthrow of the Bashar al-Assad regime.
FIRST FRENCH PRESIDENT TO VISIT SYRIA SINCE 2009
Following the major regime change in Syria, notable international diplomatic contacts have accelerated. Macron is both the first EU leader to visit Damascus in the post-Assad era and the first French President to set foot on Syrian soil since 2009.
EXPLOSION NEAR MACRON'S HOTEL
During the historic visit, a significant development occurred in Damascus. An explosion took place near the hotel where French President Macron was staying. An official statement is awaited regarding the cause of the explosion and whether there were any casualties or injuries.
"LET'S OPEN A NEW PAGE FOR STABILITY AND PEACE"
In a statement on his social media account after the visit, Macron stated that he was in the country to convey France's support to the Syrian people.
In his post, Macron said, "I came here to express France's support to the Syrian people. We are here for a Syria that is sovereign, preserving its unity in diversity, and living in peace with its neighbors. Let us open a new page together for stability and peace."
ROUNDTABLE MEETING WITH AL-SHARA
As part of the visit, Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara and Macron are expected to hold a comprehensive roundtable meeting with the participation of delegations from both countries.
It was reported that the discussions would cover the post-war reconstruction of Syria, recent developments in the region, and potential cooperation opportunities between the two countries in the new era.
MAJOR FRENCH COMPANIES ALSO IN DAMASCUS
Macron is accompanied on his Damascus visit by prominent figures from the French business world. The delegation reportedly includes the CEOs of energy giant TotalEnergies and global container shipping group CMA CGM.
This situation is interpreted as France's desire to take a leading role in the reconstruction process of Syria in the fields of energy, infrastructure, and logistics.