Syria: An explosion in Afrin results in casualties, Jan. 30

Event

A suspected car bomb detonated in Afrin Jan. 30. The blast reportedly occurred in the city center. Initial reports indicate that at least two people were killed and nine others were injured. The casualty figure is likely to be adjusted in the coming hours. Further details are unavailable.

Afrin is located in the Aleppo Governorate and is approximately 40 km (25 miles) northwest of Aleppo city.

Context

Turkey has attributed similar attacks in the region to the Syrian People's Protection Units (YPG), including an April 28, 2020 truck bombing in a market in Afrin that killed over 50 people. Ankara views the YPG as a militant group linked to the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) based in Turkey. A number of car bombings have occurred in areas along the Turkish-Syrian border since Turkey launched a military offensive into northeastern Syria in October 2019. The Islamic State (IS) has also claimed responsibility for some attacks. Turkey's military presence in northern Syria will likely lead to further attacks in the future.