22 Mar 2021 | 07:52 AM UTC
Syria: Car bombing reported in Al-Bab the morning of March 22
Car bombing reported in Al-Bab, Syria, the morning of March 22. Increased security, ground transport disruptions likely.
Event
Local reports indicate a car bombing occurred in Al-Bab, Aleppo Governorate, the morning of March 22. There have been no immediate reports of casualties or claims of responsibility for the blast. The attack follows several car bombings in recent weeks in Aleppo Governorate.
Increased security is likely near the incident site in the coming hours. Associated ground transport disruptions are likely.
Al-Bab is around 38 km (24 miles) northeast of Aleppo city.
Context
Turkey has attributed various past 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.
