THE APEX TIMES
The explosion struck a cafe on al-Nasser Street in the al-Marjah district, close to the Palace of Justice, prompting an investigation and emergency response by Syrian authorities.
A bomb blast in central Damascus killed at least six people and injured dozens on Thursday, according to Syrian state media and health officials, after the blast reportedly occurred inside a crowded cafe near the Palace of Justice, a major government building used for high-profile trials.
The BBC reported that there was no immediate claim of responsibility. Multiple reports cited the death toll and injuries as coming from Syrian authorities, with the number of casualties described as at least six dead and 22 wounded.
Al Jazeera said the explosion was reported at around 3:24 p.m. local time (12:24 GMT) inside a cafe on al-Nasser Street in the al-Marjah district, placing it close to the Palace of Justice, about 40 metres away. Footage shown by the broadcaster depicted heavy damage to the cafe and blood on the ground, while residents reportedly provided first aid to the injured before ambulances arrived.
Syrian state media said an investigation was launched. Al Jazeera reported that authorities sought to identify who was responsible and were reviewing evidence from nearby surveillance cameras. Milad Fadl, the broadcaster’s Syria correspondent, said the Interior Ministry was trying to gather evidence, noting that traces of blood were visible at the scene and that investigators were working to determine responsibility.
Al Jazeera also reported that security forces were continuing efforts to uncover “sleeper cells” operating in Syria and to disrupt attempts to destabilize the government. The broadcaster quoted Fadl describing statements from security sources that there are parties opposed to stability who would carry out “operations like this,” and that security personnel had previously arrested similar cells following other blasts and subsequent security operations.
The Palace of Justice, located near the blast site, is a venue for proceedings involving senior figures from the former al-Assad administration, Al Jazeera said. The broadcaster added that this week, Syria’s former grand mufti, Ahmad Badr al-Din Hassoun, was standing trial at the Palace of Justice.
As of Thursday evening, authorities had not publicly identified a suspect or motive, and no armed group had immediately claimed responsibility, according to the initial reporting. The investigation and public release of additional forensic findings are expected to shape subsequent steps, including any arrests or charges.
The incident comes amid heightened security concerns in Damascus for incidents that test public safety around government facilities, where civilian foot traffic intersects with the locations of court proceedings and state activity.
