The U.S. is troubled by the increasing number of attacks in Syria and condemns the recent blast in northern al-Bab, the State Department announced Wednesday.
"The United States strongly condemns the terrorist attack near a crowded traffic circle in al-Bab yesterday," U.S. State Department spokesperson Morgan Ortagus said in a statement, adding that other reports indicated more than 20 people were killed. "We are deeply troubled by the rise in such terrorist attacks in recent months."
The death toll from a blast that rocked a town controlled by the opposition in northern Syria has risen to 19, according to activists and the rescue team the White Helmets on Tuesday.
Ibrahim al-Haj, spokesman for the White Helmets in Aleppo, said the number of people wounded by the blast in al-Bab city has risen to 82 with most suffering from serious injuries.
He added that a booby-trapped truck had exploded in a densely crowded part of the city.
"The explosion caused heavy material damage as well," al-Haj said.
Local security sources noted that the blast was carried out by the YPG/PKK terrorist group, which has ramped up its attacks throughout the Tal Rifaat region, and the police have opened an investigation.
Once ruled by Daesh terrorists, al-Bab was liberated three years ago in Operation Euphrates Shield carried out by the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and the Syrian National Army (SNA).
The YPG/PKK terrorist group, which continues to attack from Syria's Tal Rifaat and Manbij regions, also often targets Jarablus, Azaz and Afrin.