Temporary munitions depot explodes near Idlib, killing at least 14
An explosion at a temporary weapons and munitions depot near Sarmada in Syria's Idlib province killed at least 14 people and injured 11. Secondary blasts hindered the response as rescuers continued searching the rubble. Officials announced no definitive finding on its origin; an initial assessment pointed to stored munitions.
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The blast at the temporary depot killed at least 14
A temporary collection site for weapons and munitions exploded on September 9 in the village of Burj al-Nimra near Sarmada, in Syria's northwestern Idlib province. Al Jazeera and Euronews, citing the Syrian Health Ministry's preliminary toll, reported that at least 14 people were killed and 11 injured. The depot held weapons and munitions left from the country's civil war between 2011 and 2024. Syria's Defence Ministry confirmed that some of its personnel were among the injured, without giving a separate number for them.[1], [2]
Secondary explosions slowed the rescue response
Smaller explosions followed the main blast. The secondary detonations made it harder for firefighters to tackle the blaze. Security forces closed roads leading to Burj al-Nimra while Civil Defence and Syrian Red Crescent teams continued searching the rubble. Al Jazeera reported that the search remained under way, and Euronews said responders were trying to reach survivors trapped beneath debris. Access to the depot remained limited while the fire continued and smaller explosions were being heard.[1], [2]
No definitive finding was announced
Authorities did not announce a definitive finding on how the explosion began. A preliminary assessment by Idlib's emergency-operations chief, reported by Euronews, pointed to the stored munitions, but it was not the result of a completed investigation. This was the second deadly munitions blast in Idlib since the start of the month. On September 1, an ammunition-laden vehicle exploded in nearby Binnish and five people died; officials issued no definitive finding on that incident either. Syria continues to face accidents involving mines, unexploded ordnance and material left in weapons stores after the war.[1], [2]
