On Thursday, July 24, 2025, seven civilians, including at least two women, were killed and more than 100 others were injured, including members of the Syrian Civil Defense, in addition to six technical personnel from the Civil Defense’s sewing production facility. The explosion occurred as a result of an ammunition depot inside a military headquarters affiliated with the Ministry of Defense of the transitional government, located north of Idlib city, west of the main road between Idlib and Maarat Misrin, for unknown reasons. The area is under the control of the transitional government.
According to information obtained by the Syrian Network for Human Rights from reliable local sources, a mild explosion initially occurred, followed by a massive blast inside the military headquarters, which houses an ammunition depot inside an underground cave. The explosion caused widespread destruction to the headquarters and significant damage to surrounding facilities, including a plastics factory, dairy and cheese production plants, as well as civilian homes and tents for displaced persons scattered throughout the area. Injuries were also reported among pedestrians, including those riding cars and motorcycles on the main road between Idlib and Maarat Misrin.
The exact cause of the explosion has not yet been determined at the time of writing.
Legal Conclusions:
- The presence of an ammunition depot in or near residential areas without taking the necessary safety measures constitutes unlawful conduct that directly endangers civilians.
- The killing and injury of civilians in an explosion not caused by direct shelling, but rather by negligence or mismanagement of explosive materials, constitutes a violation of the right to life under Article 6 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and holds the party that owns the ammunition legally responsible.
- The transitional government is responsible for ensuring the safety of civilians within its areas of influence, whether the incident occurred due to technical error or negligence. It is legally obligated to explain what happened, compensate those affected, and prevent its recurrence.
The Syrian Network for Human Rights’ recommendations:
- Open an independent and transparent investigation to determine responsibility for the explosion and accurately document the cause of the incident, whether it resulted from negligence, improper storage, or external targeting. The results should be made public.
- Halt all munitions storage operations within or near residential areas and establish strict policies ensuring the establishment of military depots away from civilians, with specialized technical and security oversight.
- Compensate all victims and the families of those killed and injured, both financially and morally, and ensure the provision of health and psychological care to those affected, as part of the basic obligations of the controlling party.
- Prepare comprehensive maps and assessments of active or abandoned munitions storage sites, and transport or dismantle them as part of an organized plan to prevent future disasters.
- Involve civil society organizations and international humanitarian organizations, such as UNMAS (the United Nations Mine Action Service), in monitoring the safe storage and transport of munitions.
