Six killed as blast tears through Damascus café

At least six people were killed and 22 others wounded when a bomb exploded inside a crowded cafe in central Damascus on Thursday, Syrian state media reported, in the latest security incident to test the country's fragile transition following the end of its civil war.

The explosion occurred at a cafe near the Palace of Justice in the heart of the Syrian capital. Syrian state television reported that an explosive device had been planted inside the premises, while Damascus Governor Maher Idlibi said the blast was caused by a crudely made improvised explosive device (IED).

The bombing presents another security challenge for the government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa, who assumed power after the overthrow of former president Bashar al-Assad in late 2024, bringing more than 14 years of civil war to an end.

Although no group claimed responsibility, security officials have previously warned that the Islamic State group has sought to exploit the security vacuum created by Assad's ouster by reactivating sleeper cells, recruiting fighters and moving weapons as the new government works to strengthen its authority.

While Islamic State is significantly weaker than when it controlled vast areas of Syria and Iraq before the collapse of its self-declared caliphate in 2019, the group earlier this year announced a new phase of operations against Sharaa's administration.

The new authorities continue to face challenges from other armed groups, including former Assad-era military personnel. Syria witnessed clashes in 2025 between government forces and insurgents from the Alawite minority, as well as separate fighting involving Druze gunmen.