At least seven individuals have lost their lives in a devastating car bombing that targeted a bustling market in northern Syria. The attack occurred in the town of Azaz, situated in Aleppo province near the border with Turkey, leaving several others wounded.
The market was full of shoppers, particularly parents purchasing new clothing for their children ahead of Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday marking the end of Ramadan next month, when the bomb detonated.
Among the casualties were two children, as reported by the White Helmets, a volunteer rescue group operating in Syria. Shocking footage from the scene depicted the aftermath, with bodies strewn on the ground, buildings damaged, and a car engulfed in flames.
The perpetrator of the attack remains unknown, with no group claiming responsibility thus far.
Azaz, under the control of pro-Turkish militias engaged in combat against Syrian President Bashar al-Assad, has witnessed previous instances of violence targeting civilian areas.
Strategically significant due to its proximity to the Turkish border and its value as a supply route, Azaz has been the focal point of contention throughout the Syrian civil war.
In 2017, the town experienced a similar tragedy when over 40 individuals lost their lives in a car bombing outside the courthouse. The Islamic State group, which briefly held control of Azaz in 2013, claimed responsibility for that attack.
While the town serves as the base for the Syrian Interim Government, an opposition faction vying for recognition as the legitimate authority in the country, it remains vulnerable to acts of violence and terrorism perpetrated by various factions amidst the ongoing conflict in the region.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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