Explosion in Damascus injures 18, including four police

DAMASCUS, Syria — An explosion in the Syrian capital injured 18 people, including four police officers, state news agency SANA reported. The blast occurred outside the security zone designated as the accommodation area for French President Emmanuel Macron, who is visiting Syria, according to the agency. SANA said the explosion did not pose a direct threat to the security zone. Syrian authorities announced that an investigation into the incident is ongoing, the wounded are receiving treatment and security measures in the area have been increased. Officials have not yet released an official statement on the cause of the blast. The Syrian government said the circumstances behind the explosion are being investigated and those responsible will be identified.