Damascus café bombing claims six lives

At least six people were killed and more than twenty others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a

At least six people were killed and more than twenty others injured after a powerful explosion ripped through a crowded café in central Damascus on Thursday, adding to growing security concerns in Syria’s capital.

According to local authorities, the blast occurred near the Palace of Justice in one of the city’s busy commercial areas, where large numbers of people were gathered at the time of the incident.

Initial investigations suggested that the explosion was caused by an improvised explosive device that had been planted inside the café before detonating during peak hours.

Emergency teams and security personnel rushed to the scene shortly after the blast. Rescue workers evacuated the injured to nearby hospitals while authorities secured the surrounding area and launched an investigation.

Images and videos shared online showed scenes of destruction inside the café, with damaged furniture, shattered glass and bloodstains visible across the premises. Officials have not yet confirmed the authenticity of all footage circulating on social media.

No group immediately claimed responsibility for the attack.

The incident presents a fresh security challenge for the government of Ahmed al-Sharaa, which has been attempting to restore stability since the removal of former president Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.

Although large-scale fighting has largely subsided, several security incidents have continued to occur across Syria during the country’s political transition.

Authorities remain concerned about the activities of sleeper cells linked to Islamic State, which security officials believe has been trying to exploit security gaps by reorganising networks, recruiting fighters and moving weapons across different regions.

The militant organisation has previously announced plans to intensify operations against the Syrian government despite suffering major losses in recent years.

Security experts warn that while the group no longer controls territory as it once did in Syria and Iraq, it still retains the ability to carry out deadly attacks targeting civilians and state institutions.

In addition to extremist threats, the Syrian government continues to face resistance from armed groups linked to former regime elements as well as local militias in different parts of the country.

The latest bombing in Damascus is expected to increase pressure on security agencies as authorities seek to prevent further attacks and maintain stability during the country’s fragile transition period.