Damascus, Syria – An explosive device detonated in an upscale neighborhood of Damascus on Saturday, as reported by Syrian state media. The blast occurred in the Mazzeh area, where several foreign missions, including Iran’s embassy, are located. Such security incidents, such as explosions targeting military or civilian vehicles, are not uncommon in the Syrian capital. However, the perpetrators behind this specific blast were not immediately identified.
Tensions in Damascus have been heightened following an air strike on April 1, which Iran has attributed to Israel. The strike resulted in the destruction of Iran’s consular annex at Tehran’s embassy in Damascus, leading to the deaths of seven members of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps. In response, Iran has vowed retaliation for the attack, further escalating the situation in the region.
According to Syria’s official SANA news agency, the explosion in the Mazzeh area was a result of an explosive device detonating in a car at al-Huda square, as stated by a Damascus police command source. Fortunately, there were no reported injuries from the blast. Both Damascus and Tehran have directly accused Israel of orchestrating the consular raid, although Israel has not issued any statements regarding the incident.
The consular strike occurred against the backdrop of ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, which began with a significant attack by the Iran-backed Palestinian militant group on Israel. With no clear attribution for the recent explosion in Damascus, the situation remains tense in the Syrian capital. Authorities continue to investigate the incident, while concerns of further violence loom over the region.