Full Breakdown
Bomb Blast Shakes Damascus Café Near Palace of Justice
7/3/2026, 10:43:31 PM
The Attack
On Thursday, 2 July 2026, an improvised explosive device detonated inside a crowded café on Al-Nasr Street, al-Hijaz district, roughly 100 m from the Palace of Justice. Security forces cordoned the site and began forensic work. The blast caused extensive damage, shattered windows, and sent shrapnel across the interior.
Background to the Transition
The explosion occurred months after the December 2024 overthrow of President Bashar al-Assad by rebel forces led by interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. The new administration has been consolidating authority, holding high-profile trials at the Palace of Justice for former regime figures such as former security chief Atef Najib, militia commander Wassim al-Assad, and ex-Grand Mufti Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun. Analysts note that remnants of the former government and Islamist militants have repeatedly targeted symbols of the transitional state.
Who Is Involved?
Key officials include Governor Maher Marwan (also cited as Maher Idlibi/Eldibi), who oversees Damascus security, and the Interior Ministry, which confirmed the device was “crudely made” and weighed about one kilogram with metal shrapnel. Political analyst Kamal Abdo highlighted the experience of former Ba’ath officials, Shabiha militia remnants, and intelligence personnel in conducting such attacks. International voices include UN deputy special envoy Claudio Cordone, who called for accountability.
Casualties and Device Details
Reported fatalities range from five to nine, with injuries between 16 and 22. Syrian state media initially cited six dead and 22 wounded; other outlets reported nine dead and 20 injured. The Ministry of Health later confirmed nine deaths and 20 injuries. Victims included four lawyers frequenting the café. The device was described as a crude IED placed under a table, likely intended for a secondary attack on the nearby courthouse.
Official Reactions
Governor Marwan condemned the “bad actors” behind the blast, asserting that the incident would not destabilize the Syrian state and promising swift justice. The Interior Ministry emphasized a “marked improvement” in security since the regime change, while the UN envoy urged that perpetrators be brought to trial. Government spokespeople framed the attack as an attempt to derail the nation’s recovery and the imminent convening of the first post-Assad parliament.
Dissenting Views
Analysts such as Kamal Abdo argue that the bombing reflects lingering anger among former regime loyalists over ongoing trials. Some observers point to the pattern of attacks on judicial and governmental sites as evidence that the security apparatus remains vulnerable despite recent gains.
Eyewitness Accounts
Shop owner Nour Khayyat recalled, “At about 3 pm, I heard a powerful blast and the storefront shook.” Neighboring glasses-shop owner Mohammed al-Zahabi described feeling “strong pressure” and seeing “blood pooled around them everywhere.” Al Jazeera correspondent Milad Fadl noted that residents administered first aid before ambulances arrived.
Conflicting Figures & Gaps
- Fatalities: 5 (D-Sabah), 6 (Al Jazeera, DW, BBC), 9 (Al Jazeera later, Newscord, Saudi Gazette).
- Injuries: 16 (D-Sabah), 22 (Al Jazeera, DW), 20 (Saudi Gazette, Newscord).
- Responsibility: No group claimed the attack; ISIL, former regime elements, and “bad actors” are cited as possibilities, but evidence remains inconclusive.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The coming hours will reveal everything and those who shed the blood of Syrians will pay, but Syria will be well as long as we are one hand and this will not shake the Syrian state,” — Maher Marwan, Governor of Damascus
- “Traces of blood are all over the ground; the Interior Ministry is trying to gather evidence to see who is responsible,” — Milad Fadl, Al Jazeera Syria correspondent
- “at about 3pm, I heard a powerful blast and the storefront shook” — Nour Khayyat, battery-shop owner
- “should be brought to justice” — Claudio Cordone, UN deputy special envoy for Syria
- “I’m going to lose my mind.” — Samar, sister of victim Fathi
Looking Ahead
The blast precedes the first session of the newly formed 210-seat parliament, scheduled for Monday. Authorities have launched a surveillance-camera review and are pursuing suspected sleeper cells. Security officials warned that each period of stability invites “malicious parties” to attempt destabilisation, suggesting heightened vigilance in the weeks ahead.
