Explosions Near Macron's Hotel in Damascus Cast a Shadow Over High Stakes Visit As French President Emmanuel Macron stepped out of his hotel in Damascus on a sweltering morning in late August, a loud explosion echoed through the city's streets, sending shockwaves through the international community.
The blast occurred roughly 1 kilometer from the president's entourage and raised concerns about the safety of the high risk visit.
Macron's decision to travel to Syria was met with skepticism by many due to the country's turbulent history and ongoing civil war.