20 Mar 2021 | 10:15 AM UTC
Syria: Car bombing reported in Al-Bab early March 20
Car bombing reported in Al-Bab, Aleppo Governorate, Syria, early March 20. Increased security likely.
Event
Local reports indicate a car bombing occurred in Al-Bab in Aleppo Governorate early March 20. The incident reportedly occurred near the Qabasin Junction and resulted in an unspecified number of fatalities and injuries. There have been no claims of responsibility for the attack. Al-Bab is around 38 km (24 miles) northeast of Aleppo city.
Heightened security is likely near the incident site in the coming hours. Associated ground travel disruptions are likely.
Context
Turkey has attributed various past attacks in the region to the 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.
Advice
Avoid the incident site in the coming hours. Plan for ground travel disruptions in the area.
