Damascus, Syria – A new security incident occurred in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Tuesday morning, involving the explosion of two improvised explosive devices near the Ministry of Tourism building. The explosions resulted in casualties and material damage in the area.
Details of the incident and security efforts
The Syrian Ministry of Interior announced in an official statement that Internal Security Forces, during their field operations, located two improvised explosive devices (IEDs). Specialized engineering units immediately began taking the necessary measures to dismantle them. The Ministry explained that the two devices detonated unexpectedly while preparations were underway for the dismantling operation, resulting in injuries to 18 people, including four members of the Internal Security Forces. Immediately after the explosions, security units imposed a tight cordon around the site to ensure the safety of citizens and prevent passersby from approaching. Meanwhile, specialized teams began a thorough sweep of the area to ensure it was clear of any other devices and to fully secure the site.
The nature of the explosives and the ongoing investigations
According to the initial examination conducted by the relevant authorities, the two devices were crudely constructed. The first device was placed inside a car parked on the side of the road, while the second was hidden inside a nearby trash container. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the circumstances of this attack and identify those involved and the parties behind it.
Assurances regarding the French president’s visit
In a related development, the Interior Ministry emphasized that the explosion occurred outside the security perimeter surrounding the residence of French President Emmanuel Macron, who is currently visiting the country. The ministry confirmed that the incident posed no direct threat to the president’s residence or the official visit program. It also indicated that the visit’s activities are continuing according to the pre-established plan and schedule without any changes.
Security challenges and the general situation
This incident comes amid ongoing security challenges that Syrian authorities are working to address in order to bolster stability in the capital and other provinces, particularly in light of proactive security measures aimed at dismantling networks involved in destabilizing internal security.
