At least 9 killed in north Syria market, rescuers say

Nine people were killed including at least five children in a rocket attack on a market in the northern Syrian city of Al-Bab today, according to emergency responders working in opposition-held areas, Reuters reports.

The White Helmets, a rescue group working in parts of Syria still held by armed opposition factions, said at least 28 others were wounded.

The warring factions in Syria’s 11-year conflict have carved up the north into a patchwork of zones of control.

Al-Bab falls within the areas of Aleppo province held by Turkish-backed opposition groups, but other parts are held by Syrian government troops backed by Russia.

The US-backed Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF), spearheaded by Kurdish groups who have opened a dialogue with the Damascus-based government, also control parts of the north and northeast.

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The head of the SDF’s media centre, Farhad Shami, said the group had nothing to do with today’s attack.

Activists in Al-Bab had been planning a protest after Muslim Friday prayers to denounce comments by Turkiye calling for reconciliation between the Syrian government and the opposition.

In a statement distributed to the media after the attack, the activists cancelled the demonstration over fears of further violence.