A car bomb exploded in a market in Aziz, a town in northern Syria controlled by Turkey-based Syrian opposition fighters, resulting in the death of at least three people. Among the casualties were two children and a woman, while five others were injured in the blast. The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, responded to the explosion by clearing the wreckage, putting out fires, and searching for additional casualties. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack, which also caused damage to shops and homes in the area. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights reported higher casualty figures, stating that at least eight people were killed and 23 were wounded in the attack.
Turkey has conducted three major cross-border operations in Syria since 2016 and controls a portion of Syrian territory in the north. In a separate incident, Israeli jets allegedly struck multiple locations near Damascus, resulting in the injury of two civilians and causing material damage. Syrian state media reported the airstrikes, attributing them to Israel and stating that they originated from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights confirmed the strikes, indicating that Israel launched four missiles in the town of Jamraya in the Damascus countryside. Israeli officials have not issued a statement regarding the attacks, as Israel has previously conducted numerous strikes on government-controlled areas in Syria to prevent Iranian entrenchment without publicly acknowledging them.
Syrian state news agency SANA reported on the Israeli airstrikes near Damascus, citing an unnamed military source for the information. The attacks were said to have been carried out from the direction of the Israeli-occupied Syrian Golan Heights, although specific details were not provided. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights corroborated the reports, noting that Israel had targeted locations in the Damascus countryside. Israel’s airstrikes in Syria have been part of ongoing efforts to prevent Iran’s influence in the region, with hundreds of strikes conducted in recent years. Despite the frequency of these attacks, Israel rarely acknowledges or comments on specific incidents.
The car bomb explosion in Aziz marks another tragic incident in war-torn Syria, where violence and conflict continue to impact civilian populations. The attack highlights the ongoing challenges faced by Syrian opposition fighters and the civilian population as they navigate through a complex and unstable environment. The Israeli airstrikes near Damascus further add to the volatile situation in the region, with tensions between Israel and Iran playing out in Syrian territory. The lack of accountability and responsibility for these attacks raises concerns about the escalation of violence and the potential for further destabilization in Syria.
The international community has a crucial role to play in addressing the ongoing violence and instability in Syria, as evidenced by the recent incidents in Aziz and near Damascus. Efforts to promote peace, facilitate negotiations, and provide humanitarian aid are essential to mitigating the impact of conflict on Syrian civilians. Continued support for diplomatic solutions, conflict resolution mechanisms, and efforts to hold perpetrators of violence accountable are necessary to achieve lasting peace and stability in Syria. The incidents in Aziz and near Damascus serve as stark reminders of the urgent need for sustained international engagement and assistance in addressing the complex challenges facing Syria and its civilian population.
