An explosive device planted inside a passenger minibus detonated in Jaramana (Rural Damascus) on Thursday, August 6, killing two people and injuring 13 others, according to Syria’s Ministry of Health.

Fahd al-Fahd, director of the Interior Ministry’s media office, told Enab Baladi that an explosive device planted inside the minibus had detonated in the city. He confirmed that there were deaths and injuries, adding that an investigation into the incident was underway.

An Enab Baladi correspondent, citing security sources in the neighborhood, reported that the device had been planted beneath the seat occupied by a man and his wife. The husband was killed, while his wife suffered injuries to her legs.

Separately, a security source told the Syrian Arab News Agency, SANA, that the explosion was caused by an explosive device inside a bus in Jaramana. The source said forensic teams were handling human remains found at the scene in accordance with established procedures.

The Ministry of Health’s Referral, Ambulance, and Emergency Directorate said two people had been killed and 13 others injured in the explosion. It said the toll remained preliminary at the time of publication.

The Health Ministry said it was closely monitoring the condition of the injured. Hospitals and emergency departments near the explosion site were placed on heightened alert, while ambulance services and medical teams were mobilized to provide a rapid response and transport the injured to medical facilities.

The Ministry of Emergency and Disaster Management said its teams had responded to the explosion site and were working to recover victims’ remains, remove the effects of the blast, and secure the area to protect civilians.

SANA quoted the relevant authorities as saying the road would reopen to traffic after forensic, ambulance, and emergency teams completed their work at the scene. The minibus in which the device had been planted was to be removed, while all injured people were transferred to Damascus Hospital, also known as al-Mujtahid Hospital, and al-Radi Specialized Hospital in Jaramana.

No group had claimed responsibility for the explosion at the time of publication. Security agencies continued their investigation to establish the circumstances of the attack and identify those involved.

Jaramana Sheikhs Call City a Model of Coexistence

The explosion occurred hours after sheikhs and residents of Jaramana issued a statement affirming their commitment to civil peace and rejecting attempts to incite discord or damage the city’s image. They described Jaramana as a model of coexistence.

According to the official al-Ikhbariya channel, the sheikhs and residents said in their statement that “their primary orientation is toward Damascus and their strategic depth is Ghouta,” adding that Syria’s unity was a red line.

The statement called for anyone inciting hatred and violence to be held accountable. It said the city’s residents “will not serve as a mailbox for any party and know their own affairs and interests best.”

According to al-Ikhbariya, the statement supported government efforts to strengthen security and stability, bring together all segments and sects of Syrian society, and open channels for reconciliation and cooperation with local communities. It also rejected all forms of rhetoric containing hatred and violence.

Repeated Bombings in Damascus

Syria periodically experiences bombings and attacks targeting civilians and security forces. On July 7, two explosive devices detonated near the hotel hosting French President Emmanuel Macron during his visit to Damascus, killing one person and injuring 36 others, according to the official toll.

Five days earlier, an explosive device detonated inside a cafe near the Palace of Justice in central Damascus, killing ten people and injuring 21 others.

The cafe bombing was the deadliest attack in the capital since a suicide bombing targeted St. Elias Church in the Dweila neighborhood in June 2025, killing 25 people. The government attributed that attack to the Islamic State group.