Deadly Blast at Damascus Café Kills Nine, Injures 20

At least nine people were killed and 20 others injured after a bomb exploded inside a busy café in central Damascus, marking one of the deadliest attacks in the Syrian capital in recent months and highlighting the country’s continuing security challenges despite efforts to stabilize after years of conflict.

According to Syria’s Interior Ministry, the explosion occurred at a café near the Palace of Justice in the city’s Hejaz district. Preliminary investigations found that the attack was carried out using a crudely made improvised explosive device weighing about one kilogram and packed with metal shrapnel, causing severe injuries and extensive damage inside the café.

Emergency services and Syrian Civil Defense teams rushed to the scene as ambulances transported the wounded to nearby hospitals. Security forces quickly cordoned off the area while investigators examined surveillance footage and interviewed witnesses in an effort to identify those responsible. Graphic videos circulating on social media showed blood-stained floors and injured civilians awaiting medical assistance, though the footage has not been independently verified.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the bombing. However, Syrian officials said the attack bears similarities to previous operations linked to the so-called Islamic State (ISIS), which has sought to rebuild sleeper cells and launch attacks against the country’s new authorities following the fall of former President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.

The bombing presents another major security test for President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s government, which has been working to restore order after more than 14 years of civil war. Although the territorial defeat of ISIS significantly weakened the militant group, security experts warn it remains capable of carrying out deadly insurgent attacks aimed at undermining Syria’s fragile political transition.

Damascus has witnessed several serious security incidents over the past year. In May, a car bomb exploded outside the Ministry of Defense, killing one soldier and injuring several others. In 2025, a suicide bombing at a church in the capital killed dozens of worshippers, underscoring the continuing threat posed by extremist groups despite improved government control over much of the country.

Syrian authorities condemned the café bombing as a terrorist act and pledged to bring those responsible to justice. Damascus Governor Maher Marwan said investigators were making progress and vowed that those behind the attack would “pay” for shedding the blood of Syrian civilians. The government also reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening security and preventing further attacks targeting public places.

The attack drew international condemnation, including from Türkiye, which described the bombing as an attempt to undermine Syria’s efforts to restore lasting peace and stability. Analysts say the latest violence demonstrates that despite significant political changes, Syria continues to face serious security threats that could complicate its reconstruction and national reconciliation efforts.