Overview
- A bomb exploded in a café on Thursday in central Damascus near the Palace of Justice, leaving at least five people dead and about 10 to 16 wounded as hospitals and authorities reported differing tallies.
- The governor of Damascus said police arrested a man who was seen leaving an improvised device under a café table before the blast.
- The Syrian Ministry of Interior has opened an investigation but has not identified a perpetrator and no group has claimed responsibility.
- The attack follows a string of urban bombings since the December 2024 political transition, including a May 19 car bomb near the Defense Ministry and a June 22, 2025 church suicide attack that was claimed by an Islamist group.
- The bombing near government buildings is likely to raise security measures in central Damascus and worsen public fear as officials seek independent verification of casualty figures and motive.