Explosions rock Damascus as French President Macron visits Syria : NPR

Key Points:

• Explosions near the Four Seasons Hotel in Damascus wounded at least 18 people during French President Emmanuel Macron's meeting with Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa, though Macron was reported safe and the meeting continued.
• Macron is the first major Western leader to visit Syria since al-Sharaa took power after ousting Bashar Assad in 2024, aiming to promote political and economic reforms and encourage investment in the war-torn country.
• The blasts, caused by explosive devices placed in a garbage bin and a parked car, occurred in a busy area near key government and cultural sites, with no immediate claims of responsibility and an ongoing investigation.
• The attack highlights ongoing security challenges in Damascus despite relative calm in the capital, following a recent deadly bombing at a cafe that killed at least 10 people.
• Macron's visit follows his efforts to ease Western sanctions on Syria and includes signing memorandums of understanding to aid Syria's reconstruction after 14 years of conflict that devastated the country's infrastructure and displaced millions.