Explosion in Damascus cafe kills at least six, injures 22

An explosion caused by an explosive device ripped through a crowded cafe in central Damascus on Thursday, killing at least six people and wounding 22 others, according to Syrian state media and health officials. The blast occurred shortly after 3:00 p.m. local time on al-Nasr Street in the al-Hijaz neighborhood, an area close to the capital's Palace of Justice complex.

Syrian state television reported that a bomb was responsible for the blast. Security forces immediately cordoned off the site, with officials stating they feared a potential secondary explosion. Ambulances and fire engines rushed to the scene, and the injured were transported to a nearby hospital for treatment. Video from the site showed significant damage to the cafe interior and wounded people lying on the floor.

Authorities have launched an investigation but have not yet identified a perpetrator, and no armed group has claimed responsibility for the attack. The Interior Ministry is expected to release its initial findings soon. Damascus Governor Maher Marwan, speaking near the blast site, said the security situation in the capital had improved in recent months but acknowledged ongoing challenges. He stated that...