A Reuters witness heard explosions in the vicinity and saw smoke rising. Roads were sealed off and security measures were implemented, the security source said. 

Explosive devices blew up ‌in Syria's capital Damascus near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was meant to be staying, a security source said.

The blasts underscore the major security challenges in Syria, where Macron is the first head of state of a European Union country to visit since rebels led by Sharaa toppled Bashar al-Assad in 2024.