Syria grapples with unrest as government faces old and new threats

Damascus was rocked by explosions on July 8, 2026, during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron, the first by a European leader since Bashar al-Assad's ouster. Eighteen people were injured after a device being defused near Macron's hotel detonated, followed by a second blast. The government of Ahmed al-Sharaa faces high unemployment and uncertain rule of law, with suspicion falling on remnants of the ISIL group.