[108852] Explosive device detonates in a cafe in central Damascus: Four dead and a number injured

Terror attack in the heart of Damascus: Four dead in explosive device blast

On Thursday, July 2, 2026, Damascus was rocked by a powerful explosion at a cafe in the central Al-Hijaz neighborhood. According to the Syrian Ministry of Interior, as reported by TabZ - Alternative Media, the explosion was caused by the activation of an explosive device inside the business. Official reports and additional sources, including LiveLeak, indicate the death of four people and the injury of 11 others, while FRANCE 24 English reports five dead and 10 injured.

While official sources have confirmed the details of the incident, WarFront Witness — a channel that presents critical views of the Syrian regime and the Iranian bloc — suggests that the cafe served as a "distraction for security forces" with the goal of carrying out a wider attack against the nearby Palace of Justice. According to the same channel, Syrian security forces managed to arrest the suspect, thereby preventing the main attack planned for the judicial building.

Documentation from the scene shared on social media, including those published by Middle East Spectator, shows the intensity of the explosion and the heavy damage caused to the cafe. As of now, the full details regarding the identity of the perpetrators and the exact motive remain under investigation by the authorities in Syria, with reports ranging from a targeted attack to a large-scale attempted assault that was thwarted.