Damascus Explosion – Cafe Blast Near Courthouse Kills Nine People
Damascus Explosion – At least nine people were killed and 20 others injured after an improvised explosive device detonated at a busy cafe in central Damascus on Thursday, according to Syria’s Health Ministry. The blast struck an area close to the capital’s main courthouse complex, prompting a major emergency response and a security investigation.
Blast hits cafe near judicial district
The cafe, located in a neighbourhood regularly visited by lawyers and court workers, was heavily damaged in the explosion. State television channel Al-Ikhbariya reported that medical teams and ambulances were dispatched quickly, treating some injured people at the site before transferring those in serious condition to hospitals across Damascus.
Authorities sealed off nearby streets as police and security personnel began examining the scene. No organisation had claimed responsibility for the attack by Thursday evening.
Interior Ministry details explosive device
Syria’s Interior Ministry said the device was a crude improvised bomb weighing about one kilogram and packed with metal fragments. The ministry said the shrapnel caused extensive injuries among people inside and around the cafe.
Investigators are reviewing footage from security cameras in the area, gathering forensic material and speaking with witnesses who were present when the blast occurred. The ministry said those responsible for the attack, along with anyone who assisted them, would face legal action.
Witnesses describe chaotic rescue efforts
Residents and business owners near the cafe described scenes of confusion and distress in the minutes after the explosion. Jalal Aljanani, who runs a restaurant next door, said he rushed to the site after hearing the blast.
He said several victims were lying on the floor and that nearby residents helped move the wounded into vehicles before emergency services arrived. Aljanani told The Associated Press that many of the injured had suffered serious impact wounds and were bleeding heavily.
A video shared online appeared to show injured people on the ground as police officers worked around the damaged cafe. The footage could not immediately be independently verified, but it showed the scale of the emergency response in the crowded district.
Security concerns remain in Syrian capital
The attack comes as Syria’s new leadership continues efforts to improve security after years of conflict and political upheaval. Since taking control of the country following the fall of the Assad dynasty in December 2024, the government led by President Ahmad al-Sharaa has launched operations against suspected Islamic State cells and other militant networks.
Security agencies have regularly announced raids and arrests involving groups accused of planning attacks in Damascus and other major cities. Officials have said commercial districts, religious communities and public gathering places have been among the potential targets identified during recent investigations.
Government faces pressure to restore stability
Al-Sharaa previously led Hayat Tahrir al-Sham during Syria’s long conflict, which began after protests in 2011 developed into a civil war. Since assuming power, he has pledged to protect Syrians from all religious and ethnic backgrounds while extending state authority across most of the country.
The government has regained control of large areas previously held by extremist groups or Kurdish-led forces. However, security remains a central challenge as authorities attempt to restore public confidence and rebuild institutions after more than a decade of war.
Several attacks over the past year have added to concerns among residents. A suicide bombing at a church in July 2025 heightened fears that militant groups could still carry out violence in populated areas despite repeated security operations.