Bomb attack in Damascus kills nine civilians

On Thursday, a bomb attack targeted a cafe in the Al-Hijaz area of Damascus, Syria, resulting in the deaths of nine civilians and injuring at least 20 others. According to reports from the Syrian interior ministry and cited by Reuters, preliminary investigations indicate the blast was caused by a crudely made explosive device. As of Saturday, no individual or group has claimed responsibility for the incident. The Republic of Cyprus officially condemned the attack on Saturday through a statement from its foreign ministry. Nicosia extended condolences to the victims' families and called for the immediate accountability of those responsible. The Cypriot ministry reaffirmed its commitment to Syrian stability, describing it as a key element for regional security. This position was formally communicated via the ministry's social media channels.