Tuesday, July 14Tuesday, July 14
8 days · 2 summary articles
Explosions rock Damascus as French President Macron visits Syria in historic first
Macron arrives in Damascus for first Western European leader visit since Syria's new authorities took power
Explosions rock Damascus as French President Emmanuel Macron visits Syria in historic first
Two explosions rocked central Damascus on Tuesday morning, injuring at least 18 people, as French President Emmanuel Macron conducted a landmark visit to Syria—the first by a Western head of state since the fall of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in December 2024.
The blasts occurred near the Four Seasons Hotel, where Macron had been staying, shortly after his convoy left the premises. Syrian state media reported one bomb was placed in a garbage bin and another in a parked car, with four of the wounded identified as police officers. No deaths were immediately reported. The Interior Ministry confirmed the incidents, while Macron’s office stated he was safe and the meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa continued uninterrupted at the presidential palace.
Macron, en route to Ankara for a NATO summit, met al-Sharaa earlier in the day and later announced the reappointment of ambassadors between the two countries, signaling a major restoration of diplomatic ties. “Our meeting marks a historical milestone,” al-Sharaa said. France had closed its embassy in 2012 but symbolically reopened it in early 2025. Macron has been a key figure in pushing Europe and the United States to ease sanctions on Syria, easing the path for renewed engagement.
In a post on X, Macron emphasized Syria’s path toward sovereignty and unity. “Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria,” he wrote. “This morning I met Syria in all its diversity. I saw dignity, courage and determination.” The Elysee Palace later confirmed the French president was unharmed and that the visit would proceed as planned, including a scheduled joint press conference with al-Sharaa.
The attacks follow a bombing last Thursday near the Justice Palace in Damascus that killed at least 10 people and wounded more than 20. No group has yet claimed responsibility for either incident. The timing of the explosions underscored the fragile security situation in Syria as the new government seeks to consolidate control.
Macron’s visit included a tour of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus alongside al-Sharaa, where he signed the guestbook. French officials described the trip as an effort to forge a “global partnership” with Syria, conditioned on the establishment of a state governed by the rule of law. “It is not acceptable for France that one dictatorship replaces another,” the Elysee Palace stated, adding that Paris expects Syria to play a moderating role in regional tensions.
The French president also announced that France would return over €50 million in assets seized from the Assad family to the Syrian people, funds previously confiscated by French justice. The gesture was framed as a contribution to Syria’s reconstruction amid growing European and Turkish involvement in the country’s economic recovery.
Macron’s trip to Damascus follows al-Sharaa’s visit to France in May 2025, the first official journey by a Syrian leader to a Western country since the regime change. The renewed diplomatic engagement reflects France’s strategic interest in positioning itself at the forefront of Western outreach to Syria, even as the security situation remains volatile.
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⚡ NEWSBomb attack near Macrons hotel in DamascusAt least 18 people were wounded in a bomb explosion near the Four Seasons hotel in Damascus, where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying. The attack occurred during his visit aimed at boosting economic ties with Syria, highlighting the regions precarious security situation.📰 #Military #Geopolitics #GeoWire
mastodon bot · 7 days ago
Syrias reconstruction and economic policy will rely on Europe and TurkeyFrench President Emmanuel Macron is the first Western European leader to have met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus, in a landmark visit for the countrys post-Assad era. A question is… #News #Europe #Turkey #Syria
mastodon bot · 7 days ago
Live - Rapport: Israël breidt controle over Westelijke Jordaanoever uit in ongekend tempo • Explosies bij Syrisch hotel van Macron: Niets gehoord
de morgen · 7 days ago
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il fatto quotidiano · 7 days ago
Syrie : la France va restituer « au peuple syrien » plus de 50 millions deuros saisis à loncle de Bachar Al-Assad Ces avoirs ont été confisqués de Rifaat Al-Assad, oncle du président déchu, surnommé le « boucher de Hama » en raison de son rôle dans la sanglante répression dune insurrection des Frères musulmans dans cette ville en 1982.
le monde · 7 days ago
Două explozii la Damasc, lângă hotelul unde a fost cazat președintele Franței, Emmanuel Macron, aflat în vizită de stat Două explozii s-au produs marți la Damasc, în momentul în care președintele francez Emmanuel Macron se află la prima vizită a unui lider al unei puteri occidentale în Siria de la venirea la putere a unei coaliții islamiste, scrie Le Figaro.
digi24 · 7 days ago
Siria va primi peste 50 de milioane de euro din Franța, confiscați anterior de la familia Assad. Anunțul lui Macron Preşedintele francez Emmanuel Macron a anunţat marţi că ţara sa va restitui populaţiei siriene peste 50 de milioane de euro provenite din confiscarea de către justiţia franceză a bunurilor obţinute în mod ilicit de familia Assad, relatează AFP.
digi24 · 7 days ago
En Syrie, Emmanuel Macron veut inaugurer «un partenariat global» conditionné par un «Etat de droit» Le président était en visite dans la capitale syrienne ce mardi 7 juillet pour ouvrir une «nouvelle page» avec Damas. Deux explosions près de lhôtel où il résidait sont venues rappeler la fragilité du pays, et les risques dune normalisation accélérée.
liberation · 7 days ago
Anschlag überschattet Macron-Besuch Der französische Präsident Emmanuel Macron ist am Montagabend in Damaskus eingetroffen. Macron ist der erste Staatschef eines EU-Landes, der Syrien seit dem Sturz des langjährigen Machthabers Baschar al-Assad im Dezember 2024 besucht. Der Besuch wurde aus Sicherheitsgründen zunächst geheim gehalten. Überschattet wurde er nun von zwei Explosionen. Berichten zufolge gab es einen Anschlag nahe Macrons Hotel.
orf.at · 7 days ago
Explosions rock Syrias capital as French President Macron visits
gdeltproject.org · 7 days ago
Macron tours Damascus Umayyad Mosque during Syria visit French President Emmanuel Macron visits Damascus Umayyad Mosque with Syrian leader Ahmed al-Sharaa and signs the guestbook during his Syria trip.
euronews · 7 days ago
🟠 UPDATEBomb attack near Macrons hotel in DamascusMacron is the first Western European leader to meet Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus. The visit focuses on Syrias post-Assad reconstruction and economic policy, relying on Europe and Turkey.📰 #EU #Geopolitics #GeoWire
mastodon bot · 7 days ago
Two blasts rocked the Syrian capital near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron is staying during a visit for talks with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa.
bluesky_Politico Europe · 7 days ago
French shipping group CMA CGM signs deal with Syria reut.rs/4vMoWO7
bluesky_Reuters · 7 days ago
Emmanuel Macron à Damas affiche son soutien au président al-Charaa La visite surprise du président français en Syrie, avant son déplacement en Turquie pour le sommet de lOtan, doit se lire comme un appui au nouveau régime, et aussi une volonté de faire partie de la recomposition en cours au Moyen-Orient.
mediapart · 7 days ago
Two explosions hit Syrian capital Two improvised explosive devices detonated in the Syrian capital Damascus on Tuesday, prompting security forces to launch a search operation to identify those responsible, though state media reported no immediate details on casualties or damage and no group has claimed responsibility for the blasts.
yenisafak · 7 days ago
French President Macron meets al-Sharaa in Damascus French President Emmanuel Macron met with his Syrian counterpart Ahmad al-Sharaa at the Presidential Palace in Damascus on Tuesday, marking the first visit by a Western leader since the fall of the Assad regime in December 2024 as Paris seeks to deepen political and economic ties.
yenisafak · 7 days ago
Syria, France sign deal on return of Rifaat al-Assad assets Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani and his French counterpart Jean-Noel Barrot signed the declaration at the Presidential Palace in Damascus during French President Emmanuel Macrons visit, marking a step toward recovering funds allegedly embezzled by the late uncle of former ruler Bashar al-Assad.
yenisafak · 7 days ago
В Дамаске произошли два взрыва — рядом с отелем, где остановился Макрон В столице Сирии Дамаске утром 7 июля произошли два взрыва, пишут AFP, Reuters и «Аль Джазира».
meduza · 7 days ago
Macron visits Damascus Umayyad Mosque during landmark Syria trip French President Emmanuel Macron visited the historic Umayyad Mosque in Damascus on July 6 alongside Syrian President Ahmed al Sharaa during his landmark visit to Syria.
intellinews · 7 days ago
Bombs Explode in Damascus During French Presidents Visit The bombing is the second in a week in the Syrian capital, highlighting the security challenges for the countrys new leaders.
wsj · 7 days ago
Syrias al-Sharaa bets on relaunching economy to solve other issues France is working to redefine its security and military cooperation with Syria, including the potential support of French special forces to fight against Islamic State in the country. The announcement was made by French President Emmanuel Macron during a landmark visit to Damascus. But problems remain, mainly regarding the countrys security. FRANCE 24s Angela Diffley tells us more.
france24 · 7 days ago
Replay: French and Syrian leaders hold press conference in Damascus Rewatch the press conference held in Damascus as the French and Syrian presidents address investment, Syrian reconstruction and regional stability during a landmark visit by Emmanuel Macron.
france24 · 7 days ago
Optimistic tone of Macrons visit doesnt hide precariousness of Syrias security At least 18 people have been wounded after a bomb went off near the Four Seasons in Damascus, the attack targeting the hotel where French president was staying, but had already left. A year after al-Sharaas visit to Paris, the two leaders are eager to boost economic ties.
france24 · 7 days ago
Explosions shake Damascus as Macron visits French president is first EU leader to travel to Syria since fall of Assad regime
financial times · 7 days ago
Explosies in Damascus tegenover hotel waar Macron verblijft In de Syrische hoofdstad Damascus zijn twee explosieven afgegaan. Dat gebeurde volgens Syrische media en veiligheidsbronnen tegenover het hotel waar de Franse president Emmanuel Macron verblijft. Hij is de eerste EU-leider die het land bezoekt sinds de val van president Bashar Al Assad.
nu.nl · 7 days ago
Syria, France to sign agreements during Macrons Damascus visit Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa said France will contribute to infrastructure and financial sector development during Emmanuel Macrons visit to Damascus, marking the first trip by a Western leader to Syria since the Assad regimes ouster.
yenisafak · 7 days ago
Macron auf Staatsbesuch in Syrien: Hoffen auf lukrative Deals Der Besuch des französischen Präsidenten in Damaskus ist kein business as usual. Er entkommt einem Anschlag. Seine Delegation will Geschäfte machen. mehr...
taz.de · 7 days ago
Macron in Syrien: Strategischer Weitblick Als erster europäischer Staatschef besucht Macron Damaskus. Er hat erkannt, dass das „neue Syrien der natürliche Partner für Europa ist. mehr...
taz.de · 7 days ago
Syyria | 18 loukkaantui räjähdyksissä Damaskoksessa lähellä Macronin hotellia Presidentin kanslian mukaan Ranskan presidentti Emmanuel Macron ei itse havainnut räjähdyksiä.
helsingin sanomat · 7 days ago