<p>Two explosions occurred near the Ministry of Tourism in Syria's capital Damascus on Tuesday afternoon.</p>
<p>As reported by IANS, the explosion injured 18 people, including four police officers. Local media also reported, citing the latest information released by the country's Interior Ministry.</p>
<h2>Explosion occurred before the meeting of French President Macron and Syrian President</h2>
<p>The explosions occurred just before the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/macron-visits-syria-first-eu-leader-to-visit-after-assad-regimes-fall-23638656" rel="nofollow">meeting between French President Emmanuel Macron and Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa</a> at the presidential palace.</p>
<p>Macron, who arrived in the Syrian capital on Monday, is the first top European leader to visit the war-torn country since the fall of the regime headed by Bashar al-Assad.</p>
<p>The Interior Ministry, while briefing the local media about the explosions, said that the Internal Security Forces had detected two explosive devices during their field operations, and the competent units had begun taking the necessary measures to dismantle them, but they exploded while preparing for the dismantling operation, as per IANS.</p>
<p>The Syrian news agency further reported, "The Interior Ministry explained that the initial inspection showed that the two devices were made in a primitive way. The first was placed inside a car parked on the side of the road, while the second was placed inside a garbage container. It noted that investigations are continuing to uncover the circumstances of the attack and identify those involved."</p>
<h2>Explosion took place near Macron&rsquo;s hotel</h2>
<p>Several media outlets reported that the explosions took place close to the hotel where <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/uk-pm-starmer-french-president-macron-to-host-global-meet-on-reopening-strait-of-hormuz-23626166" rel="nofollow">French President Macron</a> is reportedly staying in.</p>
<p>A French media house also reported, "The French president's office said in a statement that the president was safe and that his trip was continuing."</p>
<h2>Bombing in Central Damascus kills nine</h2>
<p>Earlier, on July 3, a bombing in a cafe near the <a href="https://www.mid-day.com/news/world-news/article/israeli-drone-strikes-kill-8-syrian-soldiers-in-damascus-suburb-officials-say-23591371" rel="nofollow">Justice Palace in central Damascus</a> killed nine people and injured 20 others. The interior authorities described the incident as a terrorist attack involving an improvised explosive device weighing about one kilogram and packed with metal fragments. Forensic teams were reviewing surveillance footage and interviewing witnesses, the authorities said.</p>
<p>The attempted bombing came after three security personnel were wounded in an attack on Friday at a checkpoint in the Damascus suburb of Jaramana.</p>
<p><strong>(With inputs from IANS)</strong></p>

Two explosions in Damascus injured 18 people ahead of French President Emmanuel Macron`s meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa

Syria: Two explosions rock Damascus near Tourism Ministry ahead of Macron-Syrian president meeting

Qatari LNG tanker hit near Strait of Hormuz as Saudi oil tanker also damaged

Two explosions near Syria's Ministry of Tourism in Damascus injured 18 people, including four police officers, on Tuesday. The blasts occurred shortly before French President Emmanuel Macron's meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa


Syria: Two explosions rock Damascus ahead of Macron-Syrian president meeting

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