Explosion at Central Damascus Cafe Kills Nine, Injures 20

July 3, 2026

Damascus: At least nine people were killed and 20 others injured after an explosion ripped through a cafe in central Damascus on Thursday, Syrian interior authorities said.

The blast occurred at around 3 p.m. local time on al-Nasr Street in the Hijjaz area, approximately 70 metres west of the Justice Palace.

Improvised Explosive Device Caused Blast

According to Syrian authorities, the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing about one kilogram and packed with metal fragments.

The device detonated inside the cafe, causing multiple casualties and extensive damage to the premises.

Security personnel and emergency response teams rushed to the scene, evacuated the injured, provided first aid and secured the area.

Investigation Underway

Authorities said all the injured were shifted to nearby hospitals for treatment.

An investigation has been launched to determine the circumstances surrounding the explosion and identify those responsible.

As of Thursday night, no group had claimed responsibility for the attack.

Security Concerns Persist

The explosion comes amid ongoing security challenges in Syria following the political transition in late 2024.

According to security officials, extremist groups, including the so-called Islamic State, have attempted to exploit security gaps by reactivating sleeper cells and recruiting new members. However, officials have not attributed Thursday’s explosion to any specific organisation.

The latest incident follows a series of attacks targeting security personnel in recent months, including the killing of two Syrian soldiers near Manbij in Aleppo province in June and another attack on military personnel in Hasakah province in May.

Authorities said investigations into Thursday’s explosion are continuing.