Damascus Café Bombing Kills at Least 10 as Afghanistan Condemns Attack

Syrian security forces and people gather at the site of a café explosion near the Palace of Justice in Damascus on July 2, 2026. (Photo by [AFP photographer name] / AFP) A bomb attack at a crowded café in central Damascus killed at least 10 people and wounded 21 others, Syrian health officials said, in one of the deadliest attacks in the Syrian capital since a church bombing last year. The explosion took place on Thursday near the Palace of Justice, a major government and judicial complex in the Syrian capital. Syrian authorities said the blast was caused by an improvised explosive device planted at the café, which was reportedly frequented by lawyers and other people working near the courthouse. Syria’s Health Ministry raised the death toll on Friday after initially reporting lower casualty figures, according to international media reports. Security forces sealed off the area after the explosion, while investigators reviewed security camera footage, collected evidence and interviewed witnesses, according to the Syrian Interior Ministry. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, and authorities have not publicly identified any suspects. The Interior Ministry described the device as a crude explosive packed with metal shrapnel and said those responsible would be pursued. Afghanistan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, under the Taliban administration, condemned the bombing in a statement. The ministry described attacks targeting civilians as contrary to Islamic and humanitarian values and expressed condolences to the families of the victims. The ministry said continued attacks against civilians threatened Syria’s security and stability. Its statement did not mention any group as responsible for the bombing. The attack has renewed concerns over security in Damascus as Syria’s new authorities seek to restore order after years of war and political upheaval. While front lines have largely stabilized in much of the country, Syria continues to face threats from armed groups, explosive remnants of war and sporadic attacks in major cities. The Damascus café bombing was the deadliest attack in the capital since a suicide bombing targeted the Mar Elias Greek Orthodox Church in June 2025, killing at least 25 people and injuring dozens more. Syrian authorities at the time blamed militants linked to the Islamic State, though the latest café attack has not been claimed by any organization. International media reported that mourners gathered in Damascus on Friday to bury some of the victims, while Syrian officials promised accountability. Human rights monitors also said the blast struck a civilian area near the Palace of Justice, where judges, lawyers, employees and visitors are regularly present. The bombing comes at a sensitive moment for Syria, where the government is attempting to consolidate security and political institutions after more than a decade of conflict. For civilians in Damascus, the attack underscored the continuing risks posed by explosive violence even in areas far from active front lines. The post Damascus Café Bombing Kills at Least 10 as Afghanistan Condemns Attack appeared first on Khaama Press.