Two explosions struck Damascus on Tuesday near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during his visit to Syria. At least 18 people were injured as a result of the blasts.
The French president was not inside the hotel at the time of the explosions, as he had already left for the Syrian presidential palace, where he met with his Syrian counterpart, Ahmed al-Sharaa.
Following the blasts, clouds of smoke were seen near the Four Seasons Hotel, while security forces closed off a road and ambulances were seen heading toward the scene.
Syria’s Ministry of Interior said that one bomb had been placed inside a parked vehicle at the side of a road, while another was hidden in a garbage bin.
The ministry stated that the two bombs exploded “while preparations were underway” to dismantle them.
Among the 18 injured are four police officers, according to Syrian state media.
