Explosion in Central Damascus Kills Six, Injures 22

At least six people were killed and 22 others were injured in an explosion at a crowded café in downtown Damascus, Syria, local state media reported Thursday. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Damascus Governor Maher Idlibi said the explosion, which struck the café near the Palace of Justice, was caused by a homemade improvised explosive device.

The attack poses a fresh security challenge for the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, which took power after the overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad in late 2024. Several security incidents have occurred in Damascus since then. In May, a car bomb exploded near the ministry of defense, killing one soldier and injuring at least 18 people.

Although no one has claimed responsibility for Thursday's attack, security officials have previously warned that the terrorist group Islamic State is attempting to exploit the security vacuum left by the fall of the Assad regime. The group is significantly weaker than when it controlled vast areas of Syria and Iraq, but Syrian, Iraqi and Western officials say it remains one of the greatest threats to the country's stability.

(Reuters, bak)