Powerful explosion hits rebel-controlled Afrin in northern Syria

A powerful explosion hit Syria's northern city of Afrin on Thursday following a military parade by Turkey-backed rebels in the city, Xinhua reported citing a war monitor.

The explosion occurred as a car bomb was detonated near a hospital in the Vellat Street, causing many injuries, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights.

Some of the injured are in critical conditions, the London-based watchdog said.