At least five people were killed on Tuesday in northwest Syria’s Idlib province when a vehicle carrying munitions exploded in the town of Binnish, according to Syrian authorities.

A government source, speaking on condition of anonymity, identified the vehicle as belonging to a local arms dealer but did not provide additional details. State media cited a security official who confirmed the blast but did not specify its cause. Images released by the state news agency showed charred vehicles and firefighters working to extinguish the fires amid scattered debris.

Local health officials reported the deaths, while authorities have not yet clarified whether the explosion was accidental or intentional. The Idlib region, once a stronghold for rebel and militant groups including foreign fighters, has seen frequent fires and blasts at military locations since regime forces ousted longtime leader Bashar al-Assad in December 2024.

Explosions of this type are not uncommon in Idlib. In November, a missile and ammunition warehouse in the town of Kafr Takharim exploded, killing five and injuring nine. Earlier in August, an explosion at a depot containing war remnants near Idlib city resulted in four fatalities. Additionally, in June, multiple explosions at an arms depot linked to the Turkistan Islamic Party in Maaret Misrin killed at least 12 and wounded roughly 120, according to monitoring groups.

The cause of these repeated incidents remains unclear, with authorities typically not disclosing details. The volatile security situation and the presence of numerous armed factions in Idlib continue to contribute to instability in the area.