A powerful explosion rocked the town of Binnish in northwestern Syria on Monday afternoon, just east of Idlib, killing at least 5 people, according to local reports.

The cause of the blast remained unclear, with conflicting accounts emerging shortly after the explosion. Some reports said a vehicle loaded with ammunition had detonated in the area, while others claimed that an airstrike had struck an ammunition warehouse.

The blast reportedly sent a large plume of smoke into the sky and caused significant concern among residents in the surrounding area.

No immediate information was available on possible casualties or the extent of material damage.

The incident occurred in an area of northwestern Syria that has experienced periodic security incidents and military activity. Further details were expected as local sources and authorities continued to assess the circumstances surrounding the explosion. (ILKHA)