Damascus: Syrias Health Ministry reported that 14 individuals were injured, three of whom are in critical condition, following the explosion of a minivan taxi in a Damascus suburb. Contrary to initial reports of fatalities, the ministry clarified on Friday that the deaths were inaccurately recorded due to the discovery of severed limbs from the wreckage, which were later identified as belonging to living patients undergoing surgery.

According to France24.com, the explosion in Jaramana was triggered by an explosive device planted in the minivan taxi, which was transporting passengers at the time. The group Minbar Ansar al-Rasoul has claimed responsibility for the attack, although Syrian authorities have not yet made any arrests or released findings from their investigation into the bombing.

Jaramana is known for its substantial Druze minority population and has experienced tensions between some community members and Sunni Muslim Syrians who support the current Islamist-led government. These tensions erupted
into violence in April 2025, resulting in at least 10 fatalities during sectarian clashes between Druze gunmen and pro-government fighters.

This incident marks the third bombing attack in just over a month, posing significant challenges for interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. He assumed power in December 2024 after leading the insurgency that ended the Assad dynasty’s half-century rule.

Previous attacks include the detonation of two homemade bombs during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Damascus last month, which resulted in one death and 36 injuries. The IS group was implicated in this attack, with suspects arrested days later. Macron was not at his hotel during the explosions.

Additionally, a bombing at a central Damascus cafe killed 10 and injured around 20 people, and the deadliest attack occurred in June 2025, when a church bombing claimed 25 lives. This attack was attributed to a Sunni Islamist group, though authorities blamed the Islamic State group.

Interim President al-Sharaa, in a spee
ch marking a year since Assad’s fall, called for Syrian unity to “build a strong Syria”. Despite the IS group’s significant losses by 2019, it continues to maintain sleeper cells and incite attacks against authorities. Syria joined the US-led coalition against the IS group last year, reaffirming its stance against jihadist activities.