Mon Feb 03 10:16:54 UTC 2025: ## Car Bomb Kills 15 in Northern Syria, Hampering Post-War Recovery
**DAMASCUS, Syria –** A car bomb exploded on the outskirts of Manbij, a city in northern Syria, on Monday, killing at least 15 people and wounding dozens more, according to local civil defense and a war monitor. The Syrian Civil Defense reported that 14 women and one man were killed when the bomb detonated near a vehicle carrying agricultural workers. The Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a UK-based war monitor, reported a slightly higher death toll of 19. An additional 15 women were injured, some critically.
This marks the seventh car bomb attack in Manbij in just over a month, highlighting the ongoing instability in the region. Munir Mustafa, deputy director of the Syrian Civil Defense (White Helmets), warned that these continued attacks threaten Syria’s post-war recovery efforts, impacting security, economic progress, and humanitarian aid. He stated that the attacks jeopardize the lives of civilians, hinder agricultural and educational activities, and exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation.
The violence in Manbij persists despite the downfall of President Bashar Assad in December. Clashes between Turkish-backed factions (Syrian National Army) and U.S.-backed Kurdish-led forces (Syrian Democratic Forces) continue to plague the northeastern Aleppo province. A previous car bombing on Saturday in the same city resulted in four civilian deaths and nine injuries. The ongoing conflict underscores the fragility of peace and the challenges facing Syria’s recovery.
First Piper 