Damascus Café Blast Kills Six, Leaves 22 Injured

A bomb detonated inside a crowded café in Damascus’ Hejaz district on Thursday killed six people and wounded 22 others, Syrian state media said.

The Interior Ministry confirmed an explosive device was planted inside the café, situated only 100 meters from the Palace of Justice, a key government building.

There is no immediate claim of responsibility from any group. Officials suspect the Islamic State (IS) but no group has yet taken blame for the assault.

The attack marks Damascus’ deadliest bombing since a 2025 suicide strike on a church that killed 25 people.

Eyewitness Mohammed al‑Dahabi described the scene: "I felt the building shake, and saw people lying everywhere with blood spattered across the floor."

Video footage shared online shows at least two men lying motionless on the café’s outdoor terrace.

Damascus Governor Maher Marwan Idlibi vowed that those behind the attack would face punishment, saying the country cannot remain safe amid ongoing instability.

These attacks come as interim President Ahmed al‑Sharaa struggles to consolidate power and restore security after the 2024 end of a 13‑year civil war, which left Syria riddled with sectarian fighting between Alawite and Druze groups.