Syria says arrested cell confessed to destabilization bombings

Cell confesses to destabilization plot

Syria's Interior Ministry announced Saturday that suspects arrested for a series of bombings in the capital have confessed during interrogation to plotting attacks against state institutions in order to spread chaos and undermine stability. In a statement issued Saturday, the ministry said the detainees admitted carrying out the assaults "to target public institutions, destabilize security and stability, and spread disorder among citizens." The confessions came after security forces captured the suspects earlier this week.

The suspects were taken into custody following twin improvised explosive device attacks near the Tourism Ministry building in central Damascus on Tuesday that killed one person and injured 36 others, including four police officers. Interior Minister Anas Khattab announced the arrests on Thursday, the same day preliminary investigations suggested a possible affiliation with the Daesh/ISIS terrorist group.

May bombing and forensic evidence

Investigators have also linked the cell to a car bombing that targeted the Armament Administration building affiliated with the Defense Ministry on May 19, the ministry stated. That attack killed one Syrian soldier and wounded several others after security forces discovered and attempted to dismantle an explosive device near the facility.

Ongoing inquiries supported by forensic evidence and security analysis confirmed the group's responsibility for the earlier "terrorist bombing," according to the statement. Authorities said they will pursue legal measures against the perpetrators once all investigations conclude, though they have not specified whether the probe has been completed.

Security measures and diplomatic timing

The Tuesday bombings coincided with a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Damascus, underscoring persistent security threats facing the transitional government. Earlier Saturday, Minister Khattab instructed security authorities to intensify protective measures across all Syrian governorates amid heightened vigilance.

Syrian authorities have expanded counterterrorism operations since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2024, struggling to contain insurgent cells in major urban centers. Damascus Countryside Internal Security Commander Ahmad al-Dalati told state media that evidence points to Daesh/ISIS involvement, though the group has not claimed responsibility for the attacks.