18 wounded in twin explosions in Damascus — Pajhwok

KABUL (Pajhwok): At least 18 people, including four police officers, were wounded in twin explosions in the Syrian capital, Damascus, on Tuesday, media reports said. At least two explosive devices detonated in a busy civilian area of the capital earlier in the day, Al Jazeera reported. According to Syria’s Interior Ministry, 18 people, including four police officers, were injured in the blasts, state news agency SANA said. A security official described the explosions as “a criminal act” and said authorities had launched an investigation. Al Jazeera’s correspondent reported that the blasts occurred near Syria’s Ministry of Tourism and a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was expected to stay during his visit to Damascus. The French presidency said Macron did not hear the explosions while travelling to meet Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa and that his visit continued as planned. Syrian authorities cordoned off roads leading to the blast site and began investigating the cause of the explosions and those responsible. Damascus-based security analyst Ismat al-Absi said it remained unclear who or what had been the intended target, adding that investigators were also examining the possibility that Macron’s convoy had been the target. The explosions came a week after a blast at a café in central Damascus killed at least nine people and injured 20 others.