“We in the Syrian Democratic Council condemn and denounce this cowardly terrorist act that targeted innocent civilians and threatens the remaining ones to move and leave their villages and cities,” the SDF wrote in a statement.

According to NRT the bombing took place in a market in the central part of the Kurdish city of Afrin and caused an oil tanker truck to explode, sending a large column of black smoke skyward over the city.

For much of the Syrian Civil War, Afrin was controlled by the People’s Protection Units (YPG), a Kurdish group operating in northern Syria that makes up the military backbone of the SDF.

In January 2018, Turkish forces attacked the Kurdish city in what it called Operation Olive Branch, fully occupying the area by late March.

On Tuesday, the Turkish defense ministry blamed the YPG for the bombing.

“We confirm that the Turkish occupation by relying on the factions that have terrorist thought, has opened the door wide open for terrorist forces to organize their ranks and practice their cowardly actions under Turkish protection,” the SDF said in its statement.

The group also called on the international community to use its influence to end the Turkish presence in Afrin and the other parts of Syria that it controls.

SDF commander Mazloum Abdi also called the bombing a” terrorist act” that “caused the loss of innocent lives.”

“This criminal act is the product of the policy of destruction pursued by the Turkish occupation,” he added in a tweet.

Members of the international community condemned the bombing, which has not yet been claimed.

US State Department Spokesperson Morgan Otagus said in a statement that the bombing was “an act of terror.”

“Such cowardly acts of evil are unacceptable from any side in this conflict. The US renews its call for support and implementation of a nationwide ceasefire in Syria, as called for by UN Special Representative Geir Pedersen,” she added.

In a statement that called the attack “tragic,” UNICEF highlighted the toll that the Syrian Civil War has taken on children across the country and in Afrin in particular.

“Violence is not new to Afrin. In early 2018, due to an escalation of violence, nearly 56,000 children fled the area to other parts of Syria,” said the UN agency, which is responsible for the promotion and protection of the rights and wellbeing of children.

“The war in Syria is far from over. UNICEF reminds all parties to the conflict in Syria and those with influence over them that children are not a target and that attacks on civilian populated areas are a violation of international law,” it added.

Reporter’s code: 50101