Bombs explode near Damascus hotel during Macron visit

Two improvised explosive devices detonated near a hotel in downtown Damascus on Tuesday while French President Emmanuel Macron was in Syria for a state visit, according to Syrian state media and the interior ministry. Officials said 18 people were injured, including four police officers. The ministry said security forces had already found the devices and that the explosions happened during preparations to dispose of them. Macron was not in the hotel when the blasts occurred and was not directly affected, according to the French presidency. His visit continued with meetings at the presidential palace, where he met Syrian President Ahmed alSharaa. Syrian authorities said the explosions took place outside the security perimeter for Macron’s residence. The blasts came as Damascus has seen multiple attacks in recent days, and investigators are still examining who was responsible.