Explosion rocks rebel-held Afrin city in northern Syria

DAMASCUS, Jan. 23 (Xinhua) -- An explosion occurred on Wednesday in the rebel-held northern city of Afrin, causing casualties, Kurdish activists reported.

The explosion took place near a cultural center, which is used as a base for the Turkey-backed rebels in the center part of Afrin, according to the report.

After the explosion, the rebels cordoned off the area and prevented civilians from entering while ambulances were seen taking the wounded to hospitals in the city.