A massive explosion tore through the countryside of Syria’s Idlib province on Thursday, killing at least four people and injuring five others, according to Syrian state media and a war monitoring group.

The blast, which occurred near Idlib city, sent shockwaves through the region, raising fears of further casualties and escalating an already dire humanitarian situation.

The state-run Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) reported that the explosion took place in the western countryside of Idlib, citing initial figures from local health authorities. The Britain-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR) provided further details, stating that multiple explosions were triggered by a blast at an ammunition depot and a facility used by foreign fighters in farmlands west of the city. The observatory noted that the explosions coincided with the presence of a drone flying overhead, though the cause of the blast remains unclear.

Thick plumes of smoke rose over the site, sparking panic among residents and passersby. Local reports described chaotic scenes as people fled the area, fearing additional explosions. Emergency crews and civil defense teams were quickly deployed to the scene, while security forces cordoned off the surrounding area to secure the site.

The SOHR warned that the death toll could climb, citing the severity of the explosion and past incidents in the region. On July 24, a similar series of blasts in a nearby location killed at least 12 people, including a woman and child, and injured over 100 others when munitions stored by foreign fighters detonated.

Hospitals in Idlib issued urgent calls for blood donations as medical facilities braced for a potential influx of casualties. Rescue teams worked late into the day, clearing debris and searching for additional victims trapped under the rubble.

The explosion occurred perilously close to camps housing displaced Syrians from across the country, heightening concerns for civilian safety in an already volatile region. The proximity to these camps underscores the ongoing risks faced by vulnerable populations in Idlib, where conflict and displacement continue to exacerbate the humanitarian crisis.

As investigations into the cause of the blast continue, the incident serves as a grim reminder of the persistent dangers in Syria’s war-torn northwest, where sporadic violence and unstable conditions threaten the lives of civilians and aid workers alike. (ILKHA)