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Damascus blasts near Tourism
Twin bombings near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus, Syria, injured several people on Tuesday morning, with the UAE condemning the attacks and saying they left several people injured.
“Arab condemnations continued today, Tuesday, for the two bombings that occurred near the Ministry of Tourism in the Syrian capital Damascus, with assurances of rejecting attacks on civilians and public facilities and calls to strengthen security and stability in Syria”
SANA said the explosions near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus killed one person and injured 31 others, including four police officers, while security forces were dismantling two explosive devices planted by a terrorist cell.
TRT World said the blasts wounded at least 18 people, including four police officers, as two homemade explosive devices detonated early Tuesday near the tourism ministry while security forces were attempting to dispose of them.
The TRT World account also tied the timing to French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Syria, noting it coincided with his visit and that Macron said: "Nothing can smother the aspiration of Syrian women and men to live in a fully sovereign, safe, pluralistic, and united Syria."
Condemnations and competing tolls
Arab governments condemned the twin explosions near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus, with the GCC Secretary-General Jasem Mohamed AlBudaiwi stressing the need for regional and international efforts to eliminate terrorism and dry up its sources.
SANA reported Saudi Arabia’s Foreign Ministry described the attack as a “cowardly terrorist attack,” saying it resulted in injuries to security personnel and civilians during an attempt to dismantle two explosive devices planted by a terrorist cell.
ANHA put the casualties at 1 dead and 31 wounded, while SANA’s own toll was 1 dead and 31 injured, and TRT World said at least 18 people were wounded including four police officers.
In a separate statement carried by the Saudi Gazette, Saudi Arabia said the attack targeted Damascus and injured security personnel and civilians during an operation to dismantle two explosive devices planted by a terrorist cell, and the French presidency confirmed Macron was unharmed and continued with scheduled meetings.
Investigation and security stakes
SANA said an investigation has been launched to identify and pursue those responsible for the twin explosions near the Ministry of Tourism in Damascus.
“DUBAI: The Saudi Foreign Ministry has led the condemnation of the bomb attacks that took place in Damascus on Tuesday, injuring a number of civilians and security”
TRT World reported that Syria's interior ministry said two homemade explosive devices detonated early Tuesday near the tourism ministry while security forces were attempting to dispose of them, injuring at least 18 people including four police officers.
The Middle East Monitor described security forces taking strict security measures after two consecutive explosions near the Ministry of Tourism building in Damascus, injuring 18 people including four security personnel.
In parallel, the Jordanian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ambassador Fuad Majali said in a statement that the Kingdom stands in full solidarity with the government and people of the Syrian Arab Republic and rejects all forms of violence and terrorism that seek to destabilize security and stability, as Shafaq News reported.
