A homemade explosive device killed nine people and injured 20 others during a bombing at a cafe on Al-Nasr Street in Damascus on Thursday. The Ministry of Interior confirmed the blast occurred at 3:00 PM near the Palace of Justice, using a one-kilogram device packed with metal shrapnel to cause significant casualties and property damage.
What caused the Damascus cafe explosion?
Preliminary investigations by the Ministry of Interior indicate the explosion resulted from a rudimentary improvised explosive device (IED). The device weighed approximately one kilogram and was specifically designed with metal shrapnel to maximize injury and destruction within the target area.
Following the blast, security forces established a perimeter around the Al-Nasr Street site. Engineering teams and K9 units conducted thorough sweeps of the vicinity to identify secondary threats. The Ministry of Interior stated that forensic teams are currently reviewing CCTV footage and collecting witness statements to identify the perpetrators and any individuals involved in the planning of the attack.
Medical staff at these locations are providing emergency surgical and intensive care.
He noted that several patients required immediate surgery due to abdominal injuries, while others suffered critical trauma to the chest, abdomen, and head.
He categorized the casualties as ranging from minor to critical, noting that the most severe cases were immediately moved to the intensive care unit (ICU) for life-saving interventions.
What security trends are emerging in post-Assad Syria?
Since the transition of power in Damascus following the removal of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, the capital has experienced a series of sporadic security incidents.
The nature of these attacks has varied in target and method, according to official reports:
- May 19: A car bomb explosion near a Ministry of Defense building killed one soldier during a bomb disposal operation.
- June 2025: A suicide bombing inside a church in the Dwaila neighborhood killed 25 people, an attack attributed to extremist groups and linked by authorities to ISIS.
- Current Incident: A civilian-targeted IED blast in a high-traffic urban cafe.
This pattern indicates that security challenges in the region are evolving from military-focused targets to sectarian-based violence and, most recently, to attacks on civilian public spaces.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where exactly did the explosion take place?
The explosion occurred at a cafe on Al-Nasr Street in Damascus, located approximately 70 meters west of the Palace of Justice.
How many people were killed in the cafe bombing?
According to the Ministry of Interior, nine citizens were killed in the explosion.
What type of weapon was used in the attack?
Authorities identified the weapon as a one-kilogram improvised explosive device (IED) equipped with metal shrapnel.
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