The Syrian Observatory For Human Rights

WATCH: Explosion kills, wounds dozens in Syrian Kurdish city of Afrin

Dozens of people were killed and wounded. (Photo: Social Media)

ERBIL (Kurdistan 24) – An explosion rocked the center of the Kurdish city of Afrin in northwestern Syria, with dozens of people wounded and killed, a monitor group reported on Sunday.

The explosion originated from a car bomb in the center of the al-Hal market, killing at least eight people and wounding dozens more, according to the London-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Following the attack, ambulances were dispatched to the scene and victims were transferred to nearby hospitals.

The death toll is expected to increase as many were left in a critical state following the blast, the monitoring group said.

There were no immediate claims of responsibility by anyone.

Afrin has been under the control of Turkey-backed rebels since March 2018, after driving out the Kurdish People’s Protection Units (YPG), who lead the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), from the area. Since then, the city has witnessed increased violence and insurgency attacks.

Source: WATCH: Explosion kills, wounds dozens in Syrian Kurdish city of Afrin