Powerful explosions reported in Syria's Aleppo countryside: State media

Powerful explosions were heard early Monday in the town of Al-Eis in the southern countryside of Syria's Aleppo province, according to the Syrian state-run Al-Ikhbariya channel.

The nature of the blasts was being investigated, the broadcaster reported.

The Syrian Arab News Agency (SANA) later reported that a blast occurred at a military site in the vicinity of Al-Eis, adding that a continuous series of secondary explosions followed the initial explosion, citing local civil defense officials.

Local sources said the explosions occurred at an ammunition depot belonging to Syria's Defense Ministry.

Following the blasts, the Internal Security Directorate in Aleppo province placed its personnel on high alert and closed the Aleppo-Damascus highway and roads leading to the affected area to protect civilians, SANA reported.

Faisal Mohammad Ali, the head of civil defense operations in Aleppo, told SANA that rescuers have evacuated four injured people from the site.

He said the continuing explosions were preventing emergency services from reaching the site, urging civilians to stay away from the area.

Aleppo Governor Azzam Al-Gharib also urged residents to remain indoors and avoid the area.

“Due to explosions occurring in the Al-Eis area and its surroundings south of Aleppo, we urge everyone not to leave their homes and not to approach the sites of the explosions,” Al-Gharib said in a statement.

He added that “hospitals and ambulance and emergency teams are on standby, while the relevant authorities are monitoring the situation on the ground and responding to any emergency.”