The Abu al-Zandeen crossing, which connects opposition-controlled areas with regime-controlled areas, was subjected to unknown artillery shelling for the second day.

Local networks published a video clip today, Tuesday, August 20, saying that it shows ambulances heading to the crossing after it was bombed.

Local Telegram accounts, including “The Military Reporter,” reported that three elements of the Military Police affiliated with the Syrian National Army were injured as a result of the shelling.

The bombing targeted the crossing just hours after protesters and armed elements from the National Army factions arrived at the crossing to close it.

The majority of the fighters in the factions of the National Army are from the local population. They had previously participated in protest movements, some of which opposed the policies of the National Army or its political umbrella, the Syrian Interim Government (SIG).

Video clips showed protesters and armed men preventing trucks from entering the Abu al-Zandeen crossing before it was bombed.

Sham FM radio, close to the regime, stated that a number of elements from the National Army were injured after the crossing was targeted with several mortar shells.

The party that targeted the crossing is unknown, and no party has claimed responsibility for the targeting. Accusations were directed at the regime forces and the Syrian Democratic Forces (SDF) for being behind the targeting.

The targeting is the second in two days. On Monday, the Syrian Network Agency (SNA) affiliated with the Interim Government said that an unknown-source artillery shelling targeted the crossing.

The Abu al-Zandeen crossing was opened for commercial truck movement from opposition-controlled areas to regime-controlled areas on August 19th, under the auspices of the Interim Government and the Military Police affiliated with the Turkish-backed Syrian National Army.

The Military Police manages the crossing from the opposition side, with factions from the National Army present in their points and sectors as the area constitutes a frontline between the two control sides.

In response to the opening of the crossing, several residents of the city of al-Bab set up a sit-in tent to express their rejection of the opening.

On June 26, the local council of al-Bab city said that the Abu al-Zandeen crossing would be opened experimentally for 48 hours, in preparation for it to be adopted as an “official commercial crossing.”

At the time, the council indicated that the opening of the crossing reflected its keenness to “improve the living conditions of the region’s residents and enhance local economic activity.”

These statements were met with angry popular protests rejecting the opening of the crossing. The issue also sparked unwelcoming reactions from clerics residing in northern Syria.