Bomb Blast at Damascus Café Kills Six, Injures 22
A bomb detonated near a café by the Palace of Justice in central Damascus, killing at least six people and wounding 22, as authorities investigate the device.
A bomb exploded at a café close to Damascus' Palace of Justice on Thursday, killing six people and injuring 22 others, Syrian officials said. State television reported that the blast was caused by an explosive device planted at the location after initially stating investigators were still determining the cause.
Witnesses described the impact. Nour Khayyat, who runs a nearby solar-panel battery shop, said he heard a loud blast at about 3:00 p.m. and felt the storefront shake, adding that people rushed to the café and called ambulances. Mohammed al-Zahabi, owner of an adjacent glasses shop, said the explosion created strong pressure that shook the area and that he saw victims lying on the floor with blood around them.
The incident follows a series of attacks in the capital since the new authorities assumed power after the ouster of longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024. The deadliest recent attack occurred in June 2025 at a Damascus church, killing 25 people and claimed by a Sunni Islamist group, while officials blamed the Islamic State.
The bombing took place a day after interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa announced the selection of 70 legislators to join the 140 already chosen for the newly formed 210-member parliament, which is set to convene on Monday. The added members include 15 women, raising female representation to 22 seats.