• A bomb blast in Damascus cafe killed six to nine people, injuring over 20.
• The attack is the deadliest in recent months, taking place near key government buildings.
• No group has claimed responsibility for the bombing, which sparked panic among civilians.

A bomb blast at a crowded cafe in central Damascus has reportedly killed between six and nine people and injured around 20 to 22 others, according to Syrian authorities. This attack, occurring close to the Palace of Justice, is the deadliest since a suicide bombing on a church in June 2025 that resulted in 25 deaths. The exact number of casualties remains unclear, as different reports cite varying figures, but all indicate a severe incident that has drawn significant attention due to its implications for security in the region, according to BBC, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

The bombing took place during a busy time on Thursday afternoon, leading to immediate panic as ambulances rushed to the scene. Witnesses reported hearing a powerful explosion, with local shop owners describing how their storefronts shook. Mohammed al-Dahabi, who owns a glasses shop nearby, recounted, “I felt strong pressure, and the whole place shook. I ran to the place and saw people lying on the floor with blood pooled around them everywhere,” highlighting the chaos that ensued, according to BBC, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.

No group has officially claimed responsibility for the attack, which officials from the new Syrian government view as a challenge to their efforts for stabilization after years of civil conflict. Damascus Governor Maher Eldibi stated that those responsible for “this bloodshed will be punished” and emphasized the need to restore security in a nation recently plagued by violence, which continues to threaten stability in the region, according to BBC, South China Morning Post, and Channel News Asia.