Bomb blasts near Macron's hotel in Damascus during landmark Syria visit

Explosive devices detonated near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying in Damascus on Tuesday, highlighting the fragile security situation in Syria.

According to a Reuters report, Macron was not affected by the incident and continued his scheduled engagements.

The blasts occurred close to the hotel while Macron was in the Syrian capital.Security forces quickly sealed off nearby roads and tightened security following the incident.

The Elysee Palace said that Macron is safe and the visit will pursue as normal.

"Macron had left the hotel when the explosions took place, and is currently in the Syrian presidential palace for a meeting with his counterpart Ahmed al-Sharaa and their respective delegations," according to the French presidency.

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Meeting with Syria's new leadership goes ahead

Despite the explosions, Macron later met Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Presidential Palace, according to the report.

Macron's visit is significant as he became the first head of state from a European Union country to visit Syria since the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in 2024.

Assad's government was overthrown by rebel forces led by Ahmed al-Sharaa, marking a major political shift after years of civil war.

The visit reflects Syria's changing diplomatic landscape under Sharaa, who has worked to build closer ties with Western and West Asian countries that had previously isolated the Assad government.

Security remains a major concern

Syria continues to face serious security challenges despite the change in leadership. During the country's 13-year civil war, several militant groups, including the Islamic State, established a strong presence across different parts of Syria.

Syria's security force has not identified those responsible for Tuesday's explosions as of now, the incident underlined the risks that remain even as the new government seeks to restore stability.

Sharaa, who belongs to Syria's Sunni Muslim majority and previously led the rebel coalition that removed Assad from power, has promised to build an inclusive political system after more than five decades of Assad family rule.

However, his administration has faced repeated outbreaks of violence involving pro-government forces and members of Syria's religious and ethnic minority communities.