A series of powerful explosions rocked an area near Aleppo in northern Syria early on Monday, September 21, 2026, sending a large fireball and thick smoke into the night sky.
The explosions were reported at a Syrian army site near the town of Al Eis, located in the southern countryside of Aleppo. Syrian state media reported that an initial explosion was followed by several additional blasts, creating a major emergency situation in the area.
Videos shared online appeared to show a large fireball rising into the sky, followed by bright flashes and a large column of smoke. Some footage also appeared to show secondary explosions occurring after the initial blast.
The exact cause of the explosions was not immediately known. Syrian authorities were investigating the incident, and there was no immediate official confirmation that the blasts were caused by an external attack.
According to Syrian state media reports cited by Al Jazeera, at least four people were injured in the incident. Civil defence teams managed to evacuate the injured, but emergency personnel faced difficulties reaching the affected area because explosions were continuing.
Faisal Mohammad Ali, the head of civil defence operations in Aleppo, warned residents to stay away from the location. He said the continuing explosions were making it difficult for emergency teams to safely access the site.
The warning was issued because of the possibility of additional blasts and dangerous debris in the surrounding area. Authorities were concerned about the risks posed by ammunition and other potentially explosive materials at the site.
Aleppo Governor Azzam Al Gharib also urged residents to remain indoors temporarily. Hospitals, ambulances and emergency teams were placed on alert as authorities responded to the incident.
Roads leading toward the explosion site were closed by the Internal Security Command to protect civilians and allow emergency services to operate safely. Residents were advised not to approach the area while the security situation remained uncertain.
The explosions reportedly occurred at a military facility, with local sources identifying the location as an ammunition depot belonging to Syria’s Defence Ministry. However, authorities had not immediately provided a definitive explanation for what triggered the blasts.
The incident comes amid a series of explosions at weapons and military facilities in different parts of Syria in recent weeks. The repeated incidents have raised concerns about the safety of weapons storage facilities and ammunition left over from years of conflict.
Earlier in September, an explosion at a weapons depot in Syria’s northwestern Idlib province reportedly killed 14 people and injured more than 10 others. Another explosion involving munitions in the same region killed several people earlier in the month.
On September 18, another explosion occurred at a military site in Ayyash, west of Deir Ezzor. Syrian authorities reported that 11 military personnel were killed in that incident.
The latest Aleppo explosion therefore comes against a backdrop of several recent incidents involving weapons and ammunition facilities. However, authorities have not established a common cause linking the separate incidents.
The situation around the Aleppo site remained dangerous because of the continuing explosions. Emergency workers were unable to immediately conduct a full assessment of the location, meaning the final extent of the damage could not be established immediately.
Authorities also continued to monitor nearby roads and residential areas. The closure of roads was intended to prevent civilians from entering the danger zone and to provide emergency teams with safer access when conditions permitted.
There have been unverified claims and speculation about the possible cause of the Aleppo explosions. Some commentators have suggested that the incident could have resulted from an external attack or deliberate sabotage. However, Syrian authorities had not publicly attributed the incident to any particular country or organisation at the time of the latest reports.
The absence of an officially confirmed cause means the incident should not be described as a confirmed military attack unless authorities provide evidence supporting that conclusion.
For residents of Aleppo and surrounding areas, the immediate concern remained safety. Officials urged people to avoid the affected location and follow instructions from civil defence and security authorities.
The latest incident highlights the continuing security challenges facing Syria as the country deals with the aftermath of more than a decade of conflict. Weapons storage, unexploded ordnance and ammunition left from earlier fighting remain significant risks in several parts of the country.
As emergency teams continue their assessment, authorities are expected to investigate what caused the initial explosion and why a series of secondary blasts followed.
Further information about casualties, property damage and the cause of the explosions is expected as emergency and security teams gain safer access to the site.