An explosive device detonated today (Thursday) aboard a passenger bus in the city of Jaramana, a densely populated suburb with a Druze majority near Damascus, Syrian state television reported citing a security source. The source stated that according to initial information, the explosion was caused by an IED planted inside a small passenger bus—resulting in two fatalities and 13 injured so far.
Video: Arab networks
In the year and a half since al-Julani rose to power, IED explosions across Syria have become nearly routine. Just a month ago, a mysterious explosion occurred at a café near the courthouse in Damascus—which was left stained with blood as bodies and the wounded were rushed from the scene on flatbed trucks.
The peak arrived five days later, when a series of explosions struck the city during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron—injuring 18 people, including four police officers. President Macron departed the hotel where he was staying in Damascus 15 minutes before the explosion occurred at the location and was completely unharmed.
Video: Arab networks
These explosions transpired at a time when the U.S. is drawing closer to Syria and renewing diplomatic relations. Furthermore, Trump intends to rescind Syria’s designation as a state sponsor of terrorism—a move that would end 47 years during which the Syrian state remained under that classification, tracing back to the early years of Hafez al-Assad’s rule.