A Syrian rebel group says, a senior commander of the militant group formerly known as Al-Nusra front, has been killed.
The rebel group which tweeted that commander Abu Omar Sarakeb, died in an air strike, in Aleppo province, did not state which country’s forces had carried out the air strike.
However, a U.S defense official, confirmed that the U.S targeted and killed the Islamic group leader, as the Syrian government, Russia and a US-led coalition have all been carrying out air strikes against militant groups in Syria.
A source also stated that Abu Omar Sarakeb and others had been targeted in a hideout in the village of Kafr Naha, west of Aleppo city.
Al-Nusra which was formerly known as Jabhat Fateh al-Sham, changed its name at the end of July and reportedly cut ties with Al-Qaeda at the same time.
The group is one of the most powerful Jihadist rebel groups and has been fighting the Syrian government since early 2012.
It appears that the death of Abu Omar Sarakeb who was a prominent leader in the Islamic state, will deprive the militant group of the man in charge of directing attacks overseas.
The group in reaction, stated in it’s newspaper Al-naba, that his death would not harm it, and his killers would face torment.
“Today, they rejoice for the killing.. and then they will cry much when Allah will overpower them, with His permission, with affliction of the worst torment by the soldiers of Abu Muhammad and his brothers,” the statement said.