Syria says arrested cell behind 'terrorist bombings’ in Damascus

Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab said Thursday that authorities have arrested a cell responsible for "terrorist bombings" that struck Damascus two days ago.

"The cell responsible for the terrorist bombings that targeted Damascus two days ago is now in our custody," Khattab said in a statement carried by the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA).

He added that authorities will disclose "the identities of the cell members, their roles, and all of their affiliations" once investigations are completed.

Khattab did not provide further details about the suspects or the circumstances of their arrest.

A statement by the Interior Ministry said internal security forces, in cooperation with the General Intelligence Service, arrested all members of the cell responsible for the recent Damascus bombings following “precise intelligence monitoring" in an operation that included simultaneous raids on multiple locations in Damascus and its countryside.

The raids were carried out in the areas of Al-Qutayfah, Sayyidah Zainab, Qudsaya and Ash al-Warwar, the ministry said.

Syrian authorities said Tuesday that one person was killed and 36 were injured when two improvised explosive devices detonated near the Ministry of Tourism building in Damascus.

The bombings coincided with a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Damascus.

No group has claimed responsibility for the attacks, as Syrian authorities continue efforts to strengthen security following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2024.