Syrian Ministry of Interior Details Blast Near Palace of Justice: Improvised Explosive Device Fitted with Metal Shrapnel

The Syrian Ministry of Interior released details of the bombing that targeted a café on Al-Nasr Street near the Judicial Palace in Damascus on Thursday afternoon.

In a statement, the ministry clarified that “the terrorist bombing occurred at 3:00 p.m., approximately 70 meters to the west of the Judicial Palace, resulting in the martyrdom of nine citizens and injuring 20 others, along with material damage at the crime scene.” The ministry noted that initial procedures and investigations revealed that the explosion was caused by a homemade explosive device weighing about one kilogram, packed with metal shrapnel, which led to severe injuries and significant damage to the location.

The ministry added that it established a security cordon around the site immediately after the incident, and engineering teams and police K9 units conducted thorough search operations to ensure the area was free of any other threats.

The ministry pointed out that evidence collection teams from the Criminal Investigation Department began their work immediately after the explosion, gathering forensic evidence, reviewing surveillance camera footage, and taking statements from witnesses and individuals present in the vicinity of the incident, as part of investigations aimed at uncovering the circumstances of the crime and identifying the perpetrators and those behind it.

It emphasized that investigations are ongoing, noting that any updates or results will be announced through the Ministry of Interior’s official channels once verified. It called on citizens and media outlets to avoid being drawn into rumors or disseminating unverified information, and to rely solely on official statements issued by the ministry as the authoritative source of information regarding this case.

The ministry stressed that the perpetrators of this terrorist act and all those behind it will be pursued and brought to justice, and that no accomplice will escape accountability. It affirmed that state institutions are committed to fulfilling their duty to protect citizens’ security and stability.

Meanwhile, Syrian Bar Association President Mohammad Ali Al-Taweel announced that six lawyers were killed and seven others injured in the bombing that targeted the café, given its proximity to the Judicial Palace in Damascus, where a large number of lawyers and citizens typically gather.

Al-Taweel explained to SANA that the Bar Association is coordinating directly with the Ministry of Interior and relevant judicial authorities to monitor the progress of the investigations, uncover the circumstances of the incident, and provide all necessary legal and technical facilitations to security agencies.

In a separate incident, three members of the Internal Security Forces were injured on Friday following an attack on a security checkpoint at the entrance to the city of Jaramana, in the suburbs of Damascus. One of the attackers was killed, and the other was arrested.

A security source told the Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) that a security checkpoint at the entrance to Jaramana stopped two individuals riding a motorcycle on Friday morning to verify their identities. During the inspection procedure, one of them drew a pistol and fired several shots into the air, then threw two hand grenades toward the checkpoint personnel, resulting in injuries to three officers.

The source clarified that the attacker attempted to throw a third hand grenade, but it exploded in his hands, killing him instantly.

The source noted that after the body was transferred to the hospital and identified, it was revealed that the deceased was wanted for murder and drug trafficking charges. The person who was with him was arrested, and investigations are ongoing to uncover the circumstances of the incident and take the necessary legal measures.