Explosion in Damascus Cafe Claims Nine Lives, Injures Twenty

A tragic explosion in a cafe in central Damascus has led to nine fatalities and twenty injuries, according to local authorities. The blast, caused by an improvised explosive device, occurred in the Hijjaz area. Emergency teams responded quickly, and an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances of the attack. While no group has claimed responsibility, security officials suspect the Islamic State may be attempting to exploit the ongoing security challenges in Syria. This incident adds to a series of recent attacks targeting military personnel in the region, raising alarms about the stability of the new transitional authorities.

By Narendra Chaudhary Jul 3, 2026, 12:38 IST

Tragic Blast in Central Damascus

Photo: @GlobalOSINTHQ/X

Damascus, July 3: The number of fatalities from a recent explosion at a cafe in central Damascus has increased to nine, with authorities reporting that around 20 individuals sustained injuries, according to a statement released by Syria's interior ministry on Thursday evening.

The explosion occurred at approximately 3:00 p.m. local time (1200 GMT) and was attributed to an improvised explosive device weighing roughly 1 kg, which was filled with metal shrapnel, as per the authorities' report.

This device detonated inside the cafe located on al-Nasr Street in the Hijjaz district, about 70 meters from the Justice Palace, as reported by a news agency citing official sources.

Emergency responders and security personnel arrived promptly at the scene to assist the injured, administer first aid, and secure the area. An investigation has been initiated to uncover the details surrounding the explosion and to identify those responsible.

Earlier reports from Syria's state news agency indicated that all victims were transported to medical facilities for treatment.

As of now, no group has taken responsibility for the attack.

Although no claims have been made regarding the explosion, security officials suggest that the Islamic State is attempting to exploit the security void following the ousting of Assad by reactivating dormant cells, recruiting new members, and relocating arms as the new government seeks to establish control throughout Syria.

In a related incident earlier in June, two Syrian soldiers were reportedly killed by unidentified assailants in the Aleppo province of northern Syria, according to state news reports.

Sources from the defense ministry indicated that the soldiers were targeted near Manbij in the northeastern region of Aleppo.

This incident is part of a troubling trend of attacks and ambushes aimed at military personnel under Syria's new transitional authorities. For instance, on May 11, two soldiers lost their lives when their bus was attacked in the northeastern Hasakah province.

Some reports have suggested that the Islamic State may be linked to the recent spate of assaults against members of the newly formed Syrian military forces, which emerged following the collapse of the previous administration in late 2024.