Deadly Bombing in Central Damascus
A bomb blast at a crowded cafe in central Damascus has resulted in the deaths of at least nine people and injured 22 others, according to Syrian state media.
The interior ministry reported that an explosive device was planted inside the cafe, which is situated approximately 100 meters (330 feet) from the Palace of Justice, a significant government building located in the capital's Hejaz district.
As of now, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Context of the Attack
This bombing marks the deadliest incident in Damascus since a suicide attack on a church in June 2025, which killed 25 people.
A shadowy jihadist group, Saraya Ansar al-Sunnah, claimed responsibility for the June 2025 church bombing; however, authorities attributed the attack to the Islamic State (IS) group.
Eyewitness Account
Mohammed al-Dahabi, who owns a glasses shop adjacent to the cafe, described the bombing as reminiscent of attacks witnessed in Damascus during the Syrian civil war.
"I felt strong pressure, and the whole place shook," he told the AFP news agency. "I ran to the place and saw people lying on the floor with blood pooled around them everywhere."
Graphic video footage shared on social media showed at least two men lying motionless on the floor of the cafe's outdoor terrace.
Official Response
During a visit to the site, Damascus Governor Maher Marwan Idlibi stated that those responsible for the attack would be held accountable.
"Each time the country sees a period of stability, malicious parties try to destabilise it," he added.
Ongoing Instability in Damascus
Since Islamist-led rebel forces overthrew Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, ending 13 years of civil war, there have been multiple attacks in Damascus.
Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa has faced challenges in consolidating control over the entire country and restoring security since assuming power.
Additionally, there have been several episodes of deadly sectarian violence involving government forces and members of Syria's Alawite and Druze religious minorities.
