Syria corrects minibus blast toll: 14 wounded, no deaths

Syria's Health Ministry has revised the casualty toll from a minibus explosion in a Damascus suburb, saying 14 people were wounded — three critically — and that no one died.

The correction came a day after the ministry initially reported two fatalities. In a Friday statement, it said the deaths were mistakenly recorded after three severed limbs were recovered from the wreckage. Further investigation showed the limbs belonged to living patients who were undergoing surgery at the time.

The blast occurred Thursday in Jaramana, a town with a large Druze population. Officials said an explosive device had been planted in the minivan taxi, which was carrying passengers.

A little-known group calling itself Minbar Ansar al-Rasoul claimed responsibility. Syrian authorities have not announced arrests or released findings from their investigation.

The attack is the third bombing in just over a month, adding to pressures on interim President Ahmad al-Sharaa, who took power in December 2024 after leading the insurgency that toppled the Assad dynasty. In early July, two explosions wounded at least 18 people during a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron; authorities later arrested suspects they linked to an Islamic State cell.

Jaramana has seen tensions between some Druze residents and Sunni Muslims supportive of the Islamist-led government. In April 2025, sectarian clashes between Druze gunmen and pro-government fighters killed at least 10 people.

Al-Sharaa has sought to assert control, reassure minority groups, and court Western support while promising political and economic reforms after decades of Assad family rule.