Blast Claims at Least Four Lives in Syria’s Idlib

(MENAFN) A massive explosion rocked the countryside of Syria's Idlib province on Thursday, leaving at least four people dead and five others injured, according to reports from Syrian state media and a prominent war monitoring group.

A local news outlet, citing initial data from health authorities, confirmed the blast occurred near the city of Idlib.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, based in the UK, reported that several explosions were triggered in western Idlib's countryside. These blasts followed an initial detonation at an ammunition depot and a facility used by foreign fighters, located in farmland to the west of the city. The explosions coincided with the presence of a drone flying overhead, the group stated.

Thick clouds of smoke were seen rising from the site, causing widespread panic among local residents and passersby. Witnesses reported people fleeing the area, fearing additional explosions. Emergency response teams, including civil defense units, swiftly arrived at the scene, while security forces set up a cordon to secure the area.

The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights warned that the death toll may rise, citing the high casualty rates seen in similar incidents. The group recalled an explosion on July 24 in a nearby area that killed at least 12 people, including a woman and child, while injuring over 100 others. This earlier blast was also linked to munitions stored by foreign fighters.

Hospitals in Idlib have made urgent calls for blood donations as rescue operations continued into the evening, with teams working to clear debris and search for additional victims.

The blast occurred near camps housing displaced Syrians from across the country, raising concerns over the safety of civilians in the area.

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