Syrian authorities announced Thursday the arrest of several suspects accused of recent explosions in Damascus, including bombings that occurred during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to the country earlier this week. An official with Syria's Internal Security Forces stated that the Islamic State group was behind the bombings, although the extremist group has not claimed responsibility for the attacks.
The Interior Ministry reported that security forces conducted raids in Damascus and surrounding areas, successfully dismantling the cell responsible for the explosions. Brig. Gen. Ahmad al-Dalati, commander of the Internal Security Forces for rural Damascus province, told state television that investigators identified one suspect by reviewing security camera footage and subsequently tracked him to apprehend the others.
During Macron's visit on Tuesday, explosive devices were detonated in a garbage bin and a parked car. Macron was at the presidential palace and was not harmed, continuing his meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa. The final casualty toll reported by Syria's Ministry of Health indicated one person killed and 36 wounded.
This incident follows another explosion last week near Damascus' main judicial complex, where an explosive device detonated in a cafe, killing at least 10 people and wounding more than 20.
The bombings present a challenge to al-Sharaa, who has been working to assert full control over Syria. His administration has sought to gain support from Western governments concerned about his past leadership of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham, a group previously linked to al-Qaeda, while also appealing to minorities skeptical of the current government's Islamist-led rule. His government has pledged political and economic reforms following decades of autocratic rule by the Assad family, which concluded when former President Bashar Assad was ousted in December 2024 during an insurgent offensive led by al-Sharaa.
Syria continues to face significant challenges in its recovery from a nearly 14-year civil war that resulted in nearly half a million deaths and millions displaced, leaving widespread devastation and infrastructure damage. Despite large investment pledges from various nations and businesses, the country requires hundreds of billions of dollars for reconstruction and poverty alleviation.