A bomb blast at a crowded cafe in central Damascus has killed at least six people and injured 22 others. The interior ministry confirmed an explosive device was planted at the site, located only 100m from the Palace of Justice in the Hejaz district.
Mohammed al-Dahabi, a neighboring shop owner, described the scene. "I felt strong pressure, and the whole place shook," he said. "I ran to the place and saw people lying on the floor with blood pooled around them everywhere."
Damascus Governor Maher Marwan Idlibi visited the scene, vowing those responsible would be punished. "Each time the country sees a period of stability, malicious parties try to destabilise it," Idlibi stated. There was no immediate claim of responsibility.
This marks the deadliest attack in the capital since a June 2025 church bombing killed 25. Interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa continues to struggle with consolidating control and restoring security since rebel forces overthrew Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.