Nine Dead in Explosion at Café in Damascus – Justice Palace in the Crosshairs

Connection to the Justice Palace

For several weeks, trials have been underway at the Justice Palace against representatives from the apparatus of the ruler Bashar al-Assad, who was overthrown at the end of 2024. High-ranking officials are standing trial, accused of acts of violence carried out on behalf of the former Assad regime. According to the government, the attack on the café took place on Thursday.

A video circulating on social media showed several people lying bloodied on the floor of the café. The authenticity of the footage could not be independently verified at first. Security forces cordoned off a wide area around the site of the explosion.

Investigations and Security Measures

As part of the investigation, security forces evaluated surveillance camera footage, among other evidence. Syrian security authorities announced that they would resolve the incident with great urgency. No information was initially provided regarding possible arrests or suspects.

The incident occurred at a time when Syrian government forces are, among other things, engaged in operations against fighters of the IS terrorist militia. The transitional government under transitional President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who has been in office since the end of 2024, thus faces the challenge of ensuring security in the capital while simultaneously advancing the judicial reckoning with the past.

Political Context and Transitional Government

The explosion raises questions about the ability to protect public spaces in Damascus, particularly in the vicinity of sensitive facilities such as courts. Observers pointed out that the immediate proximity of the attack site to the Justice Palace could indicate a symbolic target. There was no evidence of this initially.

International media picked up on the incident within hours of the explosion. Aid organizations offered the Syrian Health Ministry support in caring for the wounded. At the same time, the authorities called on the public not to enter the cordoned-off area and to report any possible information.

Domestic and International Reactions

Syrian state media spoke of a cowardly act against the civilian population and the country's judicial fresh start. The transitional government announced several days of national mourning. Individual victims were identified in hospitals, while the search for additional affected persons continued in the rubble.

Residents reported hearing a loud bang, followed by screams and shattering glass. Emergency services said they were on the scene within minutes. The wounded were taken to surrounding hospitals, several of them in critical condition, according to reports.

News of the attack spread rapidly across social networks, where images and eyewitness accounts circulated. Platforms flagged many of the contents as disturbing and partially restricted their dissemination. At the same time, the Syrian government warned against unconfirmed information and false reports.

Impact on the Security Situation

Eyewitnesses described the café as having been busy at the time of the explosion. Many of those present fled into the street in panic. Employees of neighboring shops spontaneously helped rescue the wounded until emergency services arrived, according to reports.

The security situation in Damascus had gradually stabilized in the past months following the fall of the Assad regime at the end of 2024. However, the current incident shows that the capital remains vulnerable, Syrian security circles said. The authorities announced increased security checks around public buildings.

The news was disseminated on 03.07.2026 by Deutschlandfunk, among others. International agencies such as Reuters and APA picked up the report. Diplomatic missions in Damascus issued travel and security advisories for their nationals in the Syrian capital.

Human rights organizations called for an independent investigation into the attack. They pointed out that the Syrian judiciary is currently overburdened and that independent observers have only limited access. The transitional government announced that it would invite international investigators but gave no specific timetable.