{"id":1148,"date":"2026-07-07T13:23:39","date_gmt":"2026-07-07T08:23:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=1148"},"modified":"2026-07-07T13:23:39","modified_gmt":"2026-07-07T08:23:39","slug":"explosions-heard-in-damascus-during-french-president-emmanuel-macrons-visit-reports","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=1148","title":{"rendered":"Explosions heard in Damascus during French President Emmanuel Macron&#8217;s visit: reports"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\">\n<p>Two explosions were reported Tuesday in Syria\u2019s capital, Damascus, near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying as part of his visit to the war-torn country.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Witnesses saw smoke rising from behind the buildings as Macron left the Four Seasons hotel ahead of a meeting with his Syrian counterpart\u00a0Ahmad al-Sharaa, Agence France Presse reported.<\/p>\n<p>A fire broke out near the hotel after two blasts were reported.\u00a0<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39908399\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:0.56152344;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"39908399\" width=\"331\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?w=575\" alt=\"Smoke rising above buildings in Damascus after an explosion.\" class=\"wp-image-39908399\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 808w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=168,300&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 168w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=768,1368&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=575,1024&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 575w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=231,411&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 231w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=322,573&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=300,534&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=248,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 248w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=34,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 34w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=45,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 45w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=370,658&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 370w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=33,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 33w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=88,156&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 88w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/explosive-devices-blew-tuesday-syrias-133579149.jpg?resize=28,50&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 28w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 331px) 100vw, 331px\"\/><figcaption>Smoke rises above buildings in Damascus after explosions were reported in the area. <span class=\"credit\">@Osint613\/X<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Roads were sealed off and security measures were implemented after the blast.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image aligncenter size-large\"><button class=\"button button--modal-trigger\" aria-label=\"Open the image in a modal.\" data-modal-image=\"39908404\"><br \/>\n\t<default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"icon-plus\" fill=\"#fff\" viewbox=\"0 0 1033 1000\" width=\"1em\" height=\"1em\"><default:path d=\"M380 364V0h273v355h380v290H653v355H380V645H0V355h380v9z\"\/><\/default:svg><br \/>\n<\/button><br \/>\n<img style=\"aspect-ratio:1.49926794;display:block\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" data-modal-image=\"39908404\" width=\"885\" height=\"590\" src=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?w=1024\" alt=\"French President Emmanuel Macron (R) shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Charaa during a visit to the Umayyad Mosque.\" class=\"wp-image-39908404\" srcset=\"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?quality=75&amp;strip=all 5611w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=300,200&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 300w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=768,512&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 768w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=1024,683&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1024w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=1536,1025&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1536w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=2048,1366&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 2048w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=600,400&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 600w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=878,586&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 878w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=744,496&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 744w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=720,480&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 720w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=576,384&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 576w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=457,305&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 457w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=440,294&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 440w, 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https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=322,215&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 322w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=661,441&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 661w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=90,60&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 90w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=120,80&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 120w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=1200,800&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1200w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=1038,692&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 1038w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=87,58&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 87w, https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/2026-advocate-free-pluralist-syria-133575156.jpg?resize=50,33&amp;quality=75&amp;strip=all 50w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 885px) 100vw, 885px\"\/><figcaption>Macron shakes hands with Syrian President Ahmed Al-Charaa. <span class=\"credit\">AFP via Getty Images<\/span><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<aside class=\"single__inline-module aligncenter wp-block-nypost-editor-primary-tag\">\n<\/aside>\n<p>Macron did not hear the blasts while traveling to meet al-Sharaa, according to the Elysee Palace.<\/p>\n<p>Security services are searching for the suspects who allegedly planted the explosive devices, local media reports.<\/p>\n<p>Macron arrived in Syria Monday and his visit is the first by a Western leader since\u00a0President Bashar al-Assad was \u2060toppled in December 2024 after 54 years in power.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cI have come to express France\u2019s commitment to the Syrian people. For a sovereign Syria, united in its diversity and at peace with its neighbors,\u201d Macron said in a post on X, celebrating his visit.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>\u201cTogether, let us open a new chapter of stability and peace.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Macron previously met with al-Sharaa in Paris \u2013 where he called for the US and European leaders to lift sanctions on Syria.<\/p>\n<p>But leaders have been skeptical of\u00a0of al-Sharaa\u2019s Islamist-led rule and former role as the head of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham militant group, previously linked to Al Qaeda.<\/p>\n<p>Western governments were especially concerned about the treatment and inclusion of women and minorities, and whether Syria\u2019s new government would transition into a more democratic rule.<\/p>\n<p>Macron will travel to Ankara, Turkey, for the NATO summit once his visit to Syria concludes.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p><em>With Post wires<\/em>\u00a0<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Two explosions were reported Tuesday in Syria\u2019s capital, Damascus, near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying as part of his visit to the war-torn country.\u00a0 Witnesses saw smoke rising from behind the buildings as Macron left the Four Seasons hotel ahead of a meeting with his Syrian counterpart\u00a0Ahmad al-Sharaa, Agence France Presse&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1149,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/nypost.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/2\/2026\/07\/133579491.jpg?quality=75&strip=all&w=1200","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1148","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-news-hub"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1148","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1148"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1148\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1149"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1148"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1148"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1148"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}