NEW DELHI: NEW DELHI: Atleast eight people died in an explosion that rocked a market in the northern Syrian city of Azaz, which is under the control of pro-Turkish forces, on Sunday.
According to the civil defense forces, at least thirty people sustained injuries, with some critically wounded being transported to nearby hospitals for treatment.
The car bomb detonated in the heart of a bustling market area, causing significant damage and igniting a fire.Emergency services swiftly responded to the scene to provide aid.
“Its timing coincided with heavy congestion by shoppers,” said Yaseen Shalabi, a witness to the blast.
The Arab-majority town, governed by Syrian rebel factions supported by Turkey and opposed to President Bashar al-Assad, has experienced a period of relative calm since it was targeted by a car bombing over two years ago.
However, in recent years, towns located in the northwestern border region have been subject to frequent bombings occurring in densely populated civilian areas.
The Syrian conflict started in 2011 from government crackdowns on peaceful protests, spiraling into a violent and multifaceted war involving extremist groups and foreign interventions. To date, the war has claimed over 507,000 lives, displaced countless civilians, and ravaged the country’s infrastructure.
Turkey has conducted multiple military operations in Syria, primarily targeting Kurdish militants associated with the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), a group with a long history of insurgency against the Turkish government.
Turkish forces, along with their Syrian allies, currently control various regions along the border, including key cities like Azaz.
(With inputs from agencies)