Car Bomb Kills at Least 15 in Northern Syria, Others Critically Injured

A car bomb explosion in the northern Syrian city of Manbij on Monday killed at least 15 people, mostly agricultural workers, and wounded more than a dozen others, according to local civil defense authorities and war monitors.

The Context

The attack underscores the persistent instability in northern Syria, particularly in areas contested by various armed groups. Manbij, located in Aleppo province, has remained a flashpoint for violence even after the fall of President Bashar Assad in December. The city has been the site of ongoing clashes between Turkish-backed Syrian National Army forces and the Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), which receive backing from the United States.

What to Know

The explosion occurred on a main road on the outskirts of Manbij, targeting a vehicle transporting agricultural workers. The Syrian Civil Defense, also known as the White Helmets, reported that 14 women and one man were killed, with 15 others, all women, sustaining injuries, some in critical condition. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, however, placed the death toll slightly higher, stating that 18 women and one man were killed.

No group has immediately claimed responsibility for the attack, but the bombing comes amid rising tensions in the region following increased conflict between Turkish-backed forces and the SDF. Manbij is strategically located near the Turkish border, making it a key area of contention.

Monday's attack was the second deadly car bombing in Manbij in three days. On Saturday, another explosion in the city center killed four civilians, including two children, and wounded nine others.

Between December 24, 2024, and Monday, there have been seven car and motorcycle bombings, according to the Syria Civil Defense, commonly known as the White Helmets. These attacks have killed 22 people, mostly women and left another 44 people injured.

What People Are Saying

A spokesperson for the White Helmets told Newsweek: "The continued attacks on Syrian civilian areas and the deliberate targeting of civilians—especially as they struggle to recover from the devastating 14-year war waged by the now-vanished Assad regime—threaten lives, deepen the humanitarian crisis, and undermine education, agriculture, and livelihoods. These attacks worsen Syria's already dire humanitarian situation, shattering civilians' attempts to rebuild stability and forcing them into displacement."

Rami Abdurrahman, director of the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, told international television news network France 24 that the death toll was expected to rise.

What Happens Next

Humanitarian organizations, including the White Helmets, are providing medical care to the injured and assisting victims' families.

The Associated Press contributed to this story.

Update, 02/03/2025, 04:16 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update, 02/03/2025, 04:27 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.

Update, 02/03/2025, 07:15 a.m. ET: This article was updated with a statement from the White Helmets and additional information.