Overview
- The explosion occurred in a café close to the Palace of Justice and left nine people dead and 20 wounded, officials said, in what witnesses described as a scene of panic and blood on the street.
- Authorities said the device was an improvised explosive of about one kilogram packed with metal fragments and that it had been placed on the premises rather than delivered by vehicle or suicide attacker.
- Security forces sealed the area and investigators sent forensic teams to collect evidence, review surveillance footage, and question witnesses as the Interior Ministry opened a criminal probe to identify perpetrators.
- No group has claimed responsibility and officials have highlighted the persistent risk from dormant jihadist cells in Syria as a possible security concern without offering a definitive attribution.
- The United Nations deputy envoy and several regional governments condemned the attack, which could prompt tighter security measures in Damascus and complicate efforts to reunify and rebuild the country after the civil war.