Syrian Bar Association Suspends Court Pleadings for Two Hours After Damascus Café Bombing

A bombing targeted a café near the Palace of Justice in Damascus, and the Syrian Bar Association announced it would suspend court pleadings for two hours across all courts in the country’s provinces on Sunday in mourning for lawyers killed in the attack.

“The Syrian Minister of Justice, Mazhar Al-Wais, issued a circular ordering the suspension of pleadings before all courts in Syria for two hours on Sunday, in solidarity with the victims of the bombing that rocked Damascus two days ago, which left 10 people dead, including lawyers”

Al-Jazeera Net

In a statement carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA), the association said court proceedings would be suspended from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., honoring “the lawyers who lost their lives while carrying out their professional duties.”

Al-Jazeera Net

SANA also reported that President Ahmad al-Sharaa congratulated President Donald Trump and the American people on the 250th anniversary of the independence of the U.S., as the mourning decision was announced.

Other Syrian reporting tied the bombing to the Hamidiya district, saying the measure came “in mourning for the lives of the fellow lawyers who were martyred as a result of the treacherous terrorist bombing.”

Syrian Interior Ministry details cited by Al-Jazeera Net said the blast occurred at exactly 3:00, about 70 meters to the west of the Palace of Justice in central Damascus.

Al-Jazeera Net reported that initial investigations “showed that the explosion was caused by a crudely made explosive device weighing about one kilogram, equipped with metal shrapnel.”

L'Orient Today

The same Al-Jazeera Net account said the toll from the café bombing rose to 10 dead and 21 injured, according to SANA citing the Health Ministry.

In parallel, the Yemeni government condemned the bombing and said it left nine people dead and injured 22 others, describing it as “the deadliest attack in the country in over a year.”

Lebanon condemned the Damascus bombing and renewed solidarity with Syria, with the Lebanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Emigrants saying it emphasized “the necessity of bringing those responsible for this terrorist act to justice.”

“Creating new perspectives since 2009 July 3, 2026 at 3:26 pm Syrian forensic personnel examine the scene after an explosive device reportedly caused a blast at a cafe near the Palace of Justice on the road to the historic Hamidiye Bazaar, one of the busiest areas in Damascus, Syria, on July 2, 2026”

Middle East Monitor

The Lebanese statement also reaffirmed support for Syria’s unity, sovereignty, and territorial integrity, framing the attack as part of acts that threaten regional security and stability.

In Damascus, Syrian Minister of Justice Mazhar Al-Wais said the ministry would participate with the Bar Association’s stance, writing that “we will continue to fulfill the mission and remain steadfast in upholding justice and the rule of law.”

Separately, Syrian security forces announced they foiled an attempt to detonate an improvised explosive device planted inside a bus in one of Damascus’ neighborhoods, while pleadings were suspended for two hours on Sunday morning.