Syria

Blasts Rock Damascus During President Macron Visit

Two improvised explosive devices detonated in central Damascus on Tuesday as French President Emmanuel Macron met Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, wounding at least 18 people, including four police officers, according to Syria's Interior Ministry. Macron was unharmed, and no group immediately claimed responsibility. The explosions occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron had been staying, and close to the Ministry of Tourism. Macron had already departed for the presidential palace when the devices exploded, and the French presidency said his official programme continued as scheduled. Damascus-based security analyst Ismat Al-Absi told Al Jazeera it remained unclear whether the attack was intended to target Macron's convoy, adding that the apparent objective was to create insecurity and send a political message rather than inflict mass casualties. Tuesday's explosions came five days after a bombing at a café on al-Nasser Street killed at least nine people and wounded 22, the deadliest attack…