Syria Says Preliminary Probe Links Damascus Bomb Cell to Islamic State

Preliminary investigations into the cell responsible for Tuesday's bombings in Damascus indicate an affiliation with the Islamic State group, according to a senior Syrian security official. The attacks occurred near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during his visit.

Ahmad al-Dalati, head of internal security in the Damascus countryside, told Syrian state-run Ekhbariya TV that authorities successfully tracked down one member of the cell responsible for the July 7 bombings. Monitoring this individual allowed investigators to identify the rest of the group's members.

Earlier on Thursday, Interior Minister Anas Khattab stated that the identities of the cell's members, their roles, and all associated links would be revealed after the investigations are completed. The bombings wounded 18 people and occurred during the first visit to Syria by a European Union head of state since Bashar al-Assad was overthrown.

The incident overshadowed Macron's historic trip, highlighting ongoing security concerns within the region.

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We were able to track down one member of the cell responsible for the July 7 Damascus bombings, and by monitoring him we identified the rest of the group's members