Syria Blames ISIS-Linked Cell for Damascus Twin Blasts During Macron’s Visit

Syrian authorities on Thursday said preliminary investigations indicate that an Islamic State (IS)-affiliated cell was behind the twin bomb blasts in Damascus that occurred during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit earlier this week.

Ahmad al-Dalati, head of internal security for the Damascus countryside, said investigators were able to identify the group after tracking one of its members, eventually leading security forces to the rest of the alleged network.

Speaking to Syria’s state-run Ekhbariya TV, al-Dalati said the investigation had established links between the suspects and the Islamic State group.

“We were able to track one member of the cell responsible for the July 7 Damascus bombings, and through surveillance we identified the remaining members of the group,” he said.

According to al-Dalati, the operation enabled authorities to dismantle the entire cell suspected of carrying out the coordinated attacks.

Earlier in the day, Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab announced that all members of the alleged cell had been arrested. In a post on X, he said officials would disclose the identities of the suspects, their individual roles and organisational affiliations once the investigation is complete.

The twin explosions struck Damascus on July 7, coinciding with French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Syria. Authorities have not yet released further details about the nature of the attacks or potential casualties as the investigation remains ongoing.