A massive explosion in a cafe in Syria’s capital Damascus, 9 people died, more than 20 people injured.

Damascus, July 3. 9 people have lost their lives while 20 have been injured in a massive explosion in a cafe in the Syrian capital, Damascus. Last night, information was given by the Syrian Interior Ministry that there was an explosion in a cafe in central Damascus and 9 people died. According to the information given by the officials, the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device (IED) weighing about one kilogram, which was filled with metal pieces.

The explosion took place at 3 pm local time. Xinhua news agency quoted officials as saying that the explosive device was detonated inside a cafe located on Al-Nasr Street in the Hijaz area. This place is about 70 meters towards the west from the Justice Palace. Officials said that security forces and emergency teams became active immediately after the blast. Action was initiated by the teams to ensure that the injured got treatment as soon as possible. It was also informed from his side that investigation has been started to find out the circumstances of the blast and identify those responsible for it.

Earlier on Thursday, Syria’s state news agency SANA quoted emergency officials as saying that all the injured had been transported to hospitals. No group has claimed responsibility for the blast, but security officials say Islamic State is trying to take advantage of the lack of security. Because after the removal of Assad from power, the new government is trying to strengthen its control over the whole of Syria.

Meanwhile, Islamic State is reactivating its sleeper cells, recruiting new fighters and transferring weapons to other places. Earlier in June, the government news agency reported that two Syrian soldiers were killed by unknown people in Aleppo province in northern Syria. Citing a Defense Ministry source, SANA said the two soldiers were targeted near the town of Mambij in the north-eastern countryside of Aleppo.

The incident is the latest in a series of attacks and ambushes targeting military personnel under Syria’s new interim administration. Earlier on May 11, two soldiers were killed during an attack on a bus in a rural area of ​​Hasaka province in north-eastern Syria. Some media reports say that the Islamic State may be involved in recent attacks on members of the Syrian military forces. These military forces were created after the fall of the previous Syrian administration in late 2024.