ISTANBUL / Laith al-Junaidi / Anadolu Agency

Syria's Interior Ministry said Saturday that the "terrorist cell" responsible for recent bombings targeting the capital Damascus confessed to "targeting public institutions with the aim of undermining security and sowing chaos."

The ministry added in a statement that the members of the "terrorist cell," who were recently arrested, confessed during ongoing investigations to "carrying out the operation with the aim of targeting public institutions, undermining security and stability, and sowing chaos among citizens."

It explained that investigations, along with analysis of technical evidence and cross-referencing security data, resulted in establishing the cell's responsibility for the terrorist bombing that targeted the Armament Administration building of the Ministry of Defense in the capital Damascus last May.

It indicated that investigations are still ongoing to uncover all those involved and cooperating with the cell, and to take the necessary legal measures against them.

Earlier on Saturday, Syrian Interior Minister Anas Khattab directed to intensify security procedures and measures in various provinces, and to raise the level of coordination and field follow-up, to maintain the stability of the country and the security of citizens.

This follows the explosion of two crude improvised explosive devices near the Ministry of Tourism building in the capital Damascus on Tuesday, resulting in one death and 36 injuries, according to the Syrian Ministry of Health.

On Thursday, Khattab announced the arrest of the "terrorist cell" responsible for the bombings that targeted the capital Damascus two days earlier.

On the same day, the official Syrian news channel "Al-Ikhbariya" quoted the head of internal security in Rural Damascus, Brigadier General Ahmad al-Dalati, as saying that "preliminary investigations with members of the cell involved in the Damascus bombings indicate that it belongs to the terrorist organization ISIS."

On Tuesday, the Ministry of Health announced that the final toll of the two bombings was one dead and 36 injured, while the Interior Ministry said that among the injured were four police officers.

The two bombings coincided with a visit by French President Emmanuel Macron to Damascus.

Syrian authorities continue their efforts to enhance security since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad's regime in late 2024.