Azaz, Syria – A car bomb explosion has struck a busy market in the rebel-held town of Azaz near the Turkish border, resulting in the deaths of at least eight individuals and leaving 23 others injured. The incident, which took place on Saturday evening, caused chaos at a time when the market was crowded with shoppers following the breaking of the Ramadan fast.
Witnesses described scenes of horror as the blast occurred during peak shopping hours, creating panic among the residents in the area. Located in a region under the control of Syrian rebel groups backed by Turkey and in opposition to President Bashar Assad, Azaz had experienced a period of relative calm before this tragic event.
Unfortunately, this region has been no stranger to bombings targeting civilian areas, with the local civil defense forces reporting that around 30 people were wounded in this latest explosion. Several of the most critically injured victims were quickly transported to nearby hospitals for urgent medical treatment.
So far, no group has come forward to claim responsibility for the attack. Speculation among residents and rebels in the northwest of Syria often turns towards the Kurdish-led People’s Defense Units (YPG), holding significant territories in the northeast. Despite these suspicions, the YPG has consistently denied any involvement in such violent acts. Others point fingers at groups aligned with the Assad regime.
The devastating car bomb explosion in Azaz serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing violence and instability in the region, as innocent civilians continue to suffer at the hands of such senseless acts of terrorism. The community now mourns the loss of those killed in the attack while grappling with the injuries sustained by many others. Authorities are working diligently to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.