Authorities in Idleb report 14 dead and 11 injured after an explosion at a weapons depot in northwestern Syria

An explosion of undetermined origin at a weapons depot near the city of Sarmada, Idleb province, in northwestern Syria, on Wednesday killed 14 people and injured 11, according to a provisional tally by local authorities.

Idleb’s health directorate said the depot was being used temporarily to collect weapons and remnants of war before they were transferred. The Ministry of Defense announced that employees of the institution were among the injured.

Columns of black smoke were seen at the scene, while firefighters worked to contain the blaze. Successive explosions hampered the operations of rescue teams.

The incident is the second to occur in the region within ten days. On September 1, at least five people were killed after a vehicle loaded with ammunition exploded. Idleb province, a former stronghold of rebel and jihadist groups, was also the scene of similar explosions last November, as well as in July and August 2025. The most recent series of incidents caused at least 12 deaths and more than 100 injuries.