Explosions near Damascus hotel during Macron's Syria visit
On Tuesday, explosions erupted in Damascus close to the Four Seasons Hotel, where French President Emmanuel Macron was expected to stay, injuring at least 18 individuals, as reported by Syria's Interior Ministry. The detonations took place while Macron was in discussions with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the presidential palace. Macron's office assured that he was unharmed and that the meeting proceeded as planned. Notably, he is the first significant Western leader to visit Syria since Sharaa took office, ahead of a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey. Macron, who arrived with an economic delegation on Monday night, aims to sign memorandums of understanding to attract investment for Syria's post-war reconstruction after 14 years of conflict.
Key facts
- Explosions occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus on Tuesday.
- At least 18 people were wounded, per Syria's Interior Ministry.
- Emmanuel Macron was meeting Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa at the time.
- Macron's office said he was safe and the meeting continued.
- Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since Sharaa came to power.
- The visit precedes a NATO summit in Ankara, Turkey.
- Macron helped push Europe and the US to drop most sanctions on Syria.
- Macron arrived with an economic delegation and plans to sign memorandums of understanding.
Entities
Institutions
- Four Seasons Hotel
- Syria's Interior Ministry
- French president's office
- Nato
- European Union
- United States
Locations
- Damascus
- Syria
- Ankara
- Turkey