Explainer-What is Islamic State, the group linked to this week's Damascus bombs?

AI Summary

Preliminary investigations link the bombings near a hotel in Damascus to the Islamic State group. The attacks wounded 18 people and overshadowed French President Emmanuel Macron's visit, marking the first EU head of state visit since Bashar al-Assad was overthrown.

By Michael Georgy DUBAI, July 10, (Reuters) - Preliminary investigations into the cell behind Tuesday's bombings in Damascus, near a hotel where French President Emmanuel Macron spent the night, indicate it was affiliated with Islamic State, a senior Syrian security official said. Two bombs exploded near the hotel, wounding 18 people and overshadowing Macron's visit — the first by a European Union head of state since the overthrow of Bashar al-Assad. WHAT IS ISLAMIC STATE?