UNITED NATIONS, June 22 (Xinhua) -- The United Nations is alarmed by reports of two vehicle-borne improvised explosions on Thursday in Idlib city in Syria, which killed eight people, including a child, and wounded 40 others, said a UN spokesman on Friday.

The United Nations strongly condemns attacks targeting civilians, aid workers and humanitarian infrastructure, said Farhan Haq, the spokesman.

The world body continues to call on all parties and those with influence over them to ensure the protection of civilians and civilian infrastructure in line with their obligations under international humanitarian law, he told a press briefing.

An estimated 2.5 million people live in rebel-held Idlib governorate in the northwest of the country, nearly half of them have been displaced by violence and are in need of humanitarian assistance, he said.

A car-bomb exploded near Idlib city's western entrance on Thursday. Shortly after the bombing, a bomb-laden motorcycle exploded in the same area.