An improvised explosive device detonated inside a café in Damascus on Thursday, killing at least nine people and injuring 19, according to Syrian authorities. The blast took place in the Al-Hijaz neighborhood, near the Palace of Justice, a location where trials pertaining to killings under the former regime have been ongoing.

Syrian health officials initially reported seven fatalities, with three of the injured in critical condition, though these figures were not immediately verified by local authorities. A medical source at the Damascus Health Directorate Hospital confirmed the casualties, while the Ministry of Health issued a statement confirming the location and nature of the attack.

Damascus Governor Maher Marwan said all victims were civilians, including four lawyers who were present in the café at the time of the explosion. He further stated that security forces are reviewing surveillance footage from the area as part of their investigation into the incident.

The Palace of Justice, located near the scene of the bombing, has recently been the site of trials involving suspects accused of participating in killings under the regime of former Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad, who was ousted in 2024. The motive behind the attack has not been disclosed, and authorities have yet to identify any suspects.

A video circulating on social media showed multiple injured individuals inside the café, some covered in blood, highlighting the severity of the explosion. Authorities continue their investigation amid heightened security concerns in the capital.