Mourners gathered in Damascus on Friday to bury 10 people, including six lawyers, who were killed in a bomb blast that tore through a popular cafe near the city's Palace of Justice. The funerals took place in the Midan neighbourhood, with coffins carried by grieving relatives and friends.

The attack on Thursday targeted the Al-Mushairiya Cafe on al-Nasr Street in the al-Hijaz district. The cafe, situated approximately 70 metres (230 feet) from the Palace of Justice, was a frequent meeting place for legal professionals and court visitors. The blast injured an additional 22 people.

Damascus Governor Maher Marwan described the explosive device as "primitive" and pledged that those responsible would be brought to justice. Local media identified the six lawyers killed as Muhannad Khalaf, Zuhair Askar, Hossam al-Safadi, Mahmoud al-Shamali, Muhammad Ali al-Shihab, and Eid Muhammad Awad. The Syrian Bar Association issued a statement mourning the loss of its members, stating they "left us while performing their mission in the justice system."

One of the victims, lawyer Eid Muhammad, a father of six daughters, was reportedly reviewing legal documents at the cafe at the time of the explosion. He was the sole provider for his family. Images circulating on social media depicted the aftermath, including one showing a victim surrounded by scattered legal papers.

The bombing has drawn widespread condemnation. A Damascus resident, Bahaa Qabbani, told The Associated Press that his brother, Fathi Qabbani, who worked near the cafe, was killed while walking past the site. Qabbani labelled the perpetrators as "terrorists who are against the homeland" and urged security forces to "take hold of the country with an iron fist."

Syrian authorities stated that the bomb was planted inside the cafe and detonated remotely, refuting social media speculation about a potential suicide bombing. The proximity of the cafe to the Palace of Justice, a venue for significant legal proceedings, raises questions about the potential motives behind the attack.

The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in the Syrian capital. While Damascus has been relatively secure compared to other parts of the country, sporadic attacks have occurred, underscoring the fragile peace.

Further details regarding the investigation and the identification of the perpetrators are awaited. The Syrian Bar Association's statement has underscored the impact of the attack on the legal community, emphasizing the loss of professionals dedicated to the justice system.