Bomb blast at Damascus cafe kills six, injures 22

At least six people were killed and 22 others injured when a bomb exploded inside a crowded cafe in central Damascus on Thursday, according to Syrian state media.

Officials said the blast took place at a cafe near the Palace of Justice in the heart of the capital.

State television reported that an explosive device had been planted inside the cafe. There was no immediate claim of responsibility for the attack.

Maher Idlibi said the explosion was caused by a homemade improvised explosive device.

Videos shared on social media showed injured people and bloodstains inside the cafe following the blast.

The attack adds to growing security concerns for the Syrian government led by President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who came to power after the removal of former president Bashar al-Assad in late 2024.

Since then, Damascus has seen several security incidents, including a car bomb outside the defence ministry in May that killed one soldier and injured at least 18 others.