Reports from the Syrian presidency indicate that a devastating car bomb has led to the loss of lives of at least 20 individuals and left many others wounded on the outskirts of Manbij in northern Syria.
This tragic incident marks the deadliest attack in the region since the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad in December last year.
It is worth noting that this is the seventh car bombing in just over a month in the area, where clashes have been ongoing between Turkish-backed forces and a Kurdish-dominated group.
The office of Syria’s new President Ahmed al-Sharaa has strongly condemned this act of terrorism and has vowed to seek justice and hold those responsible for this heinous crime accountable.
The presidency stated, “The perpetrators of this crime will face severe punishment to serve as a warning to anyone who dares to threaten Syria’s security or harm its people.”
Hospital staff informed the Associated Press news agency that the car bomb exploded near a group of agricultural workers who were travelling mainly in a vehicle at night.
The Syrian Civil Defence, also known as the White Helmets, reported that among the casualties were at least 11 women and three children.
In a statement, the rescue group expressed, “Each of the victims had families and aspirations. What started as an effort to earn a living tragically ended in death and injuries. Justice must be served for them, and the culprits of this crime must be held accountable.”
Currently, no organization has claimed responsibility for the attack.
Just two days prior, another car bombing in the city resulted in the loss of four lives and injuries to nine others, according to state news agency SANA.
Jameel al-Sayyed, an activist and journalist from Manbij, mentioned to the Associated Press that the frequent attacks have compelled residents to heighten their vigilance.
“The people of Manbij are making efforts to protect specific neighborhoods and have started installing surveillance cameras in key areas of the city,” al-Sayyed stated.
Throughout the long-standing Syrian conflict that began in 2011, control over Manbij, situated to the south of the Turkish border and east of Aleppo, has changed hands multiple times.
Last December, Turkish-backed factions seized control from the US-supported, Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), who have strongly denounced the recent bombing.
The SDF has put forth an unconfirmed claim suggesting that what they referred to as Turkiye’s “mercenaries” are responsible for the attack.
Turkiye, a NATO ally of the US, considers the SDF an extension of the People’s Protection Units (YPG) and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), groups it labels as “terrorist” entities.
President Al-Sharaa, a former rebel leader who assumed office on a temporary basis earlier this month, is scheduled to visit Turkiye later this week.
