Syrian authorities say suspects in Damascus bombings had IS links

Syrian authorities say they have arrested the cell suspected of carrying out two bombings in Damascus during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to the country, adding that preliminary investigations indicate the group was linked to the Islamic State (IS).

"The cell responsible for the terrorist attacks targeting Damascus two days ago is now in our custody," Interior Minister Anas Khattab  said in a statement, Caliber.Az reports per foreign media.

Khattab said the government would disclose the identities of the suspects, their alleged roles, and their affiliations after the investigation is completed.

Ahmad Dalati, head of interior security for the Damascus region, said on Syrian state television that preliminary investigations indicated "the cell was affiliated with the IS [Islamic State] group".

The interior ministry said in a statement that the cell had been captured following a series of raids "carried out at the same time against the suspects' different locations across Damascus and its countryside".

The statement said the raids occurred in four neighbourhoods, two of which have populations from toppled ruler Bashar al-Assad's Alawite minority.

The arrests follow twin bombings on the morning of July 7, when two improvised explosive devices detonated near the hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron was staying during an official visit. Syrian authorities said one person was killed and 36 others were injured in the explosions.

By Sabina Mammadli