A car bombing in the bustling market of Azaz, located in northern Syria, has resulted in the deaths of at least seven individuals.
The attack, which occurred in Aleppo province near the Turkish border, also left several others wounded. Azaz is under the control of pro-Turkish militias engaged in combat against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad.
Turkish forces and their allied groups hold significant territories in Syria along the shared border between the two nations.
The explosion took place amidst the busy market scene, with shoppers preparing for Eid al-Fitr, the upcoming celebration marking the conclusion of the Islamic holy month of Ramadan. The victims included two children, as reported by the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue organization operating in Syria.
Footage depicting the aftermath of the bombing revealed scenes of devastation, with bodies strewn across the ground, buildings damaged, and a burning car wreck.
No group has admitted carrying out the attack.
Azaz, situated near the Turkish border, serves as the base for the Syrian Interim Government, a faction claiming legitimacy as the country’s governing authority amid the ongoing civil conflict.
Analysts highlight Azaz’s strategic significance due to its proximity to Turkey and its role as a vital supply route in the conflict.
The town, located in Syria’s northwest border region, has frequently been targeted by bombs aimed at densely populated civilian areas.
In a notorious incident in 2017, over 40 individuals lost their lives when a car bomb exploded outside Azaz’s courthouse. The Islamic State group, which briefly controlled the town after capturing it in 2013, claimed responsibility for the attack.