Syria: Suspected car bomb explosion in Afrin results in several injuries Feb. 24

Event

Local sources indicate a suspected car bomb detonated in Afrin, Aleppo Governorate, the morning of Feb. 24. The blast reportedly occurred in the city center. Initial reports indicate at least three injuries. The official casualty toll could rise. No group has claimed responsibility for the incident.

Afrin is located 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. Several 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.