Smoke rises as a result of a fire that erupted near the Syrian al-Shaab presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, July 4, 2025. Unknown fire erupted Friday afternoon in bushes close to the Syrian al-Shaab presidential palace situated on top of a mountain overlooking the capital Damascus, sending thick plums of black smoke over wide areas, local media and witnesses said. (Photo by Hummam Sheikh Ali/Xinhua)

DAMASCUS, July 4 (Xinhua) -- Unknown fire erupted Friday afternoon in bushes close to the Syrian al-Shaab presidential palace situated on top of a mountain overlooking the capital Damascus, sending thick plums of black smoke over wide areas, local media and witnesses said. ■

Smoke rises as a result of a fire that erupted near the Syrian al-Shaab presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, July 4, 2025. Unknown fire erupted Friday afternoon in bushes close to the Syrian al-Shaab presidential palace situated on top of a mountain overlooking the capital Damascus, sending thick plums of black smoke over wide areas, local media and witnesses said. (Photo by Hummam Sheikh Ali/Xinhua)

Smoke rises as a result of a fire that erupted near the Syrian al-Shaab presidential palace in Damascus, Syria, July 4, 2025. Unknown fire erupted Friday afternoon in bushes close to the Syrian al-Shaab presidential palace situated on top of a mountain overlooking the capital Damascus, sending thick plums of black smoke over wide areas, local media and witnesses said. (Photo by Hummam Sheikh Ali/Xinhua)