Deadly Car Bombing Rocks Northern Syria
DAMASCUS — A devastating car bombing has claimed the lives of at least seven people in a bustling market in northern Syria.
The attack took place in the town of Azaz in Aleppo province, near the Turkish border, leaving several others injured.
The perpetrators behind the attack remain unknown, but the town is under the control of pro-Turkish militias who are in conflict with Syrian President Bashar Al-Assad.
Turkish forces and their allies hold significant territory in Syria along the shared border between the two countries.
The tragic incident occurred as the market was filled with shoppers preparing for Eid Al-Fitr, the celebration marking the end of Ramadan next month.
According to the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue group in Syria, two children were among those killed in the explosion.
Footage from the scene showed the aftermath of the blast, with bodies strewn on the ground, buildings damaged, and a car engulfed in flames.
No individuals or groups have claimed responsibility for the attack, which also caused destruction to businesses and homes in the area.
Azaz is home to the Syrian Interim Government, an opposition faction vying for recognition as the legitimate authority in the country.
Analysts view the town as strategically important in the context of the civil war due to its proximity to the Turkish border and its role as a crucial supply route.
Incidents involving bombs targeting civilian areas are sadly not uncommon in Syria’s north-west border region, with Azaz being a frequent target.
In a similar attack in 2017, over 40 individuals lost their lives when a car bomb exploded outside the town’s courthouse.
The Daesh group (also known as IS), which previously seized control of Azaz in 2013, claimed responsibility for that attack. — BBC
