A bomb blast at a crowded cafe in central Damascus killed at least six people and injured 22, according to Syrian state media. The explosion occurred on Thursday, and the interior ministry stated that an explosive device was planted inside the cafe.
The cafe is located approximately 100 meters (330 feet) from the Palace of Justice, a significant government building in the capital's Hejaz district. There has been no immediate claim of responsibility from any group for the attack.
This incident marks the deadliest bombing in Damascus since a suicide attack on a church in June 2025, which resulted in 25 fatalities. At that time, a jihadist group named Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah claimed responsibility, though authorities attributed the bombing to the Islamic State (IS) group.
Witnesses described the scene following the blast. Mohammed al-Dahabi, the owner of a nearby glasses shop, told AFP news agency that the bombing was reminiscent of attacks during Syria's civil war. "I felt strong pressure, and the whole place shook," he said. "I ran to the place and saw people lying on the floor with blood pooled around them everywhere."
Graphic video footage shared on social media depicted at least two men motionless on the cafe's outdoor terrace. Following the incident, Damascus Governor Maher Marwan Idlibi visited the scene and stated that those responsible would be punished. "Each time the country sees a period of stability, malicious parties try to destabilise it," he remarked.
Damascus has experienced several attacks since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024 by Islamist-led rebel forces, which concluded 13 years of civil war. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has faced challenges in consolidating control across the country and restoring security. The nation has also seen bouts of sectarian violence between government forces and members of Syria's Alawite and Druze religious minorities.