At least 6 killed, 22 wounded in Damascus cafe explosion

The blast occurred at about 3:45 p.m. local time (8:45 a.m. EDT) in one of the cafes on al-Naser Street in the al-Hijaz neighborhood of Damascus. The street measures just a few city blocks and is home to the Palace of Justice, the capital's primary judicial complex. The official SANA news agency reported that five people were killed and 20 others were injured. The Ministry of the Interior said that an “explosive device” was responsible for the blast and that investigations are underway. 

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported that the Justice Palace was evacuated following the explosion.

There was no immediate claim of responsibility.