Azaz, Syria – A bomb blast rocked a busy shopping area in the northern Syrian city under the control of pro-Turkish forces, resulting in the tragic deaths of eight individuals and leaving over 20 others injured, reported a monitoring group on Sunday.
The explosion in Azaz, located in the Aleppo province, occurred late at night during the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, as civilians were out shopping, according to a correspondent from AFP. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the casualty figures, stating that eight individuals lost their lives and 23 were wounded in the car bomb attack that targeted a bustling market.
The ongoing security issues in northern Syria, held by pro-Turkish forces, are compounded by internal conflicts among armed groups and the looming threat of attacks from Islamic State jihadists, creating a precarious environment post years of conflict in the region. The devastation caused by the explosion was evident with significant damage reported and a resulting fire that added to the chaos in the area.
Eyewitnesses recounted the harrowing experience of being caught in the blast, with Khaled al-Nowmeh, a local pharmacist, describing how he and his family narrowly escaped the tragedy while shopping for clothes. The lack of security and safety in the region was highlighted by Thaer Hafar, a store worker, who expressed fear over the possibility of a second car bomb and the constant threat residents live under.
Authorities, grappling with the aftermath of the blast, have tightened checkpoints and initiated investigations into the incident, with potential suspects ranging from Kurdish forces to IS militants or other armed groups. The conflict in Syria, which began in 2011 with the government’s crackdown on protests, has since escalated into a bloody war, claiming hundreds of thousands of lives, displacing millions, and causing extensive damage to the country’s infrastructure.
Turkish forces, along with their Syrian allies, maintain control over strategic border areas including Azaz, as Turkey continues to engage in military offensives targeting Kurdish militants in the region. Recent incidents like the car bomb attack serve as a grim reminder of the persistent threats faced by civilians in war-torn Syria, where violence and instability remain prevalent.