RAS-AL AYN, Syria

At least five civilians were killed, 12 others injured in a bomb attack in Ras al-Ayn, northeastern Syria, local security sources said Thursday.

An explosives-laden car detonated in the town of Tal Halaf, according to the sources, who asked not to be named due to restrictions on speaking to the media.

Local security forces suspect the YPG/PKK terror group may be behind the attack near Turkey's southern border, which also caused material damage.

Ras al-Ayn was liberated from YPG/PKK terrorists last October as part of Turkey's Operation Peace Spring, launched to secure Turkey's borders by eliminating the terror group from northern Syria east of the Euphrates River, aid in the safe return of Syrian refugees, and ensure Syria's territorial integrity.

However, the YPG/PKK terrorists continue attacks in Ras al-Ayn and the nearby city of Tal Abyad despite pulling out of areas under a deal reached by Turkey and the US on Oct. 17.

In its more than 30-year terror campaign against Turkey, the PKK -- listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the US and EU -- has been responsible for the deaths of nearly 40,000 people, including women, children and infants. The YPG is the PKK's Syrian offshoot.

*Writing by Burak Bir