JARAMANA — A minibus in the town of Jaramana, a suburb of Damascus, became a scene of horror on Thursday when a bomb hidden inside it detonated. At least two people were killed, and 13 others were injured in the explosion, state media reported, citing the health ministry. According to state TV, the explosion in Jaramana was caused by a bomb placed inside the minibus, an official source confirmed.
Attack in a Druze-Christian community
Jaramana is home to Druze and Christian communities, and the attack has once again raised alarms in a region already scarred by sectarian violence. An AFP photographer at the scene saw several ambulances rushing to the site as traffic was halted along the main road. The health ministry reported that forensic teams were processing human remains found at the site. The town was affected by sectarian violence in the spring of 2025, and the recent explosion only deepens fears in a community already on edge.
Rising violence in a new Syria
Since the fall of Bashar al-Assad in December 2024, Syria's new Islamist authorities have sought to establish control and stability. Yet Damascus and its suburbs remain under threat. Just days before the bus explosion, a bombing in a central Damascus cafe killed ten people and injured twenty. Last month, two homemade bombs detonated during French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit, wounding 36 people. Syrian officials said an Islamic State-linked cell was behind those attacks.
The town of Jaramana saw violent sectarian clashes in the spring of 2025. The latest bombing comes amid a broader pattern of attacks targeting both security forces and civilians. President Ahmed al-Sharaa has pledged to protect Syria's religious minorities, but 2025 saw deadly attacks against Alawites and Druze communities.
In a speech in December marking a year since the fall of Assad, al-Sharaa emphasized the importance of all Syrians uniting their efforts to "build a strong Syria." Syria last year joined the US-led coalition against IS, a jihadist group that was largely wiped out in Iraq and Syria by 2019. The recent attacks suggest a growing threat to public safety in the capital and its surroundings.
The new Islamist government continues to face challenges in maintaining order after years of war and instability. Security forces are struggling to prevent further violence as groups like IS and others exploit the fragile peace to carry out attacks. The latest bombing in Jaramana highlights the risks that remain for minorities and civilians, despite government assurances of protection.
Residents of Jaramana reported a tense atmosphere, with many expressing fear and frustration over the lack of security. The attack has drawn attention to the vulnerabilities in Syria's post-Assad era, where efforts to rebuild are constantly undermined by violence. Local leaders have called for more resources and international support to help safeguard communities.