At least 8 killed in Idlib, including spokesperson of jihadist group: report
ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — The spokesperson for the former al-Qaeda affiliate Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS) was among at least eight people killed in a Syrian regime missile strike on rebel-held Idlib province on Thursday, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights (SOHR).
“Among the killed is the spokesperson for the military wing of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham named Abu Khalid al-Shami,” the SOHR stated.
According to the Observatory, a civilian car was targeted by a guided missile near the village of Iblin. When HTS fighters arrived at the scene, a second guided missile struck them. Eight people were killed, including at least two civilians.
The number of dead could increase as there were an unconfirmed number of people injured, SOHR stated.
In addition to Shami, another official of the HTS was also killed. He was military media coordinator for the group, identified as Abu Mousab.
Local news outlet North Press Agency also reported the deaths of the two HTS officials, stating the attacks were conducted by the Syrian regime and the Russian air force.
The HTS (formerly the Nusra Front) is considered a Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, though they say they have severed ties with the terrorist organization. The group is mainly active in Turkish-supported rebel-held areas of northern Syria and is in control of Idlib province. HTS is on UN and US terror lists.
“Among the killed is the spokesperson for the military wing of the Hayat Tahrir al-Sham named Abu Khalid al-Shami,” the SOHR stated.
According to the Observatory, a civilian car was targeted by a guided missile near the village of Iblin. When HTS fighters arrived at the scene, a second guided missile struck them. Eight people were killed, including at least two civilians.
The number of dead could increase as there were an unconfirmed number of people injured, SOHR stated.
In addition to Shami, another official of the HTS was also killed. He was military media coordinator for the group, identified as Abu Mousab.
Local news outlet North Press Agency also reported the deaths of the two HTS officials, stating the attacks were conducted by the Syrian regime and the Russian air force.
The HTS (formerly the Nusra Front) is considered a Syrian branch of al-Qaeda, though they say they have severed ties with the terrorist organization. The group is mainly active in Turkish-supported rebel-held areas of northern Syria and is in control of Idlib province. HTS is on UN and US terror lists.