The timing of the two bombings that targeted the vicinity of the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus, coinciding with French President Emmanuel Macron's visit and his arrival at the Presidential Palace, raises questions about the messages the perpetrators intended to send.
It appears that the goal was not so much to inflict the greatest number of casualties as it was to attract attention and demonstrate the ability to breach security measures at a highly significant political and diplomatic moment, in an attempt to disrupt an event that garnered widespread international attention.
While investigations are still underway to identify those responsible, the choice of this particular timing suggests that the attackers wanted to send a security and political message that extended beyond the immediate location of the bombing.
Eighteen people, including four police officers, were injured in two explosions near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus on Tuesday, Syria‘s Interior Ministry said, stressing that the incident posed no threat to French President Emmanuel Macron’s official visit, which is continuing as scheduled.
In a statement to SANA, the ministry said Internal Security Forces detected the two explosive devices during field operations and specialized units began procedures to defuse them. The devices exploded while preparations for the disposal operation were underway.
The ministry said Internal Security Forces immediately established a security cordon around the site to protect civilians, while specialized teams launched search, clearance and security operations in the surrounding area.
Preliminary findings indicate that both devices were improvised, the ministry said. One was placed inside a vehicle parked along the roadside, while the other was concealed in a trash container.
Investigations are underway to establish the circumstances of the attack and identify those responsible, according to the ministry.
The Interior Ministry said the explosion site was outside the security perimeter designated for the residence of French President Emmanuel Macron and posed no direct threat to his accommodation or to the official visit.
It added that Macron’s visit to Syria is continuing according to schedule.
Zaman Al Wasl
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