Syrian army depot explosions spark widespread concern and questions

Three explosions have struck Syrian army weapons depots within 11 days, the most recent occurring around midnight Sunday to Monday in the town of Ais, southern Aleppo province. The incidents have caused widespread concern among Syrians and prompted observers and analysts to question the reasons behind their recurrence.

Charles Lister, director of Syria and Countering Terrorism and Extremism programs at the Middle East Institute in Washington, described the repeated blasts as "more than just a coincidence," noting that three explosions at Ministry of Defense depots in less than two weeks raise serious questions about what is happening.

Syrians have expressed differing views on the causes, with many calling on the Ministry of Defense and authorities to investigate. Some have accused Israel of being behind the incidents, while others believe negligence and poor storage practices may be to blame, demanding an official clarification of the facts.

Aleppo Governor Azam Al-Gharib urged citizens to follow security instructions and cooperate with emergency teams, calling on the public to report any suspicious activity. He stressed that accurate information could help save lives and uncover the circumstances of the incidents.

Security forces temporarily closed the Aleppo-Damascus highway after the explosions, reopening it once the situation was under control.

Syrian authorities recently announced that 11 soldiers were killed in an explosion of unknown origin in Deir Ezzor.

On September 9, 14 people were killed and 11 injured in an explosion at a temporary weapons and war remnants storage site near Sarmada in Idlib. Earlier the same month, five people died in Idlib province when a vehicle loaded with ammunition exploded.