A US airstrike targeted and killed Muhammad Salah al-Za’bir, a senior operative of the Al-Qaeda-affiliated militant group Hurras al-Din, in northwest Syria on Thursday. The airstrike was part of the ongoing US military campaign aimed at dismantling extremist organizations in the region, the US Central Command confirmed.
Al-Za’bir, known for his leadership role in the Hurras al-Din group, was killed as part of the US efforts to degrade the capabilities of terrorist factions operating in Syria. Hurras al-Din, which has ties to Al-Qaeda, has been a significant player in the ongoing conflict in Syria, maintaining operations in the Idlib region despite international counterterrorism efforts.
The strike marks another chapter in the United States’ sustained campaign against Al-Qaeda and other militant groups in the region. The US has been carrying out airstrikes and ground operations to eliminate key figures within these groups to prevent further destabilization in Syria and surrounding areas.
In a parallel development on the same day, the Palestinian militant group Hamas confirmed the death of its military leader Mohammed Deif in an Israeli airstrike. This came months after the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) had initially claimed Deif’s death in a July airstrike in the Khan Younis area of Gaza. Hamas spokesman Abu Obeida confirmed Deif’s death, as well as the deaths of several other high-ranking Hamas commanders, including Ghazi Abu Tama’a, Raad Thabet, and Ayman Nofal.
The confirmation follows a prolonged period of violence between Hamas and Israel, particularly after the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led attacks on southern Israel, which resulted in over 1,200 Israeli civilian deaths and the abduction of more than 200 people. In retaliation, Israel launched a counteroffensive in Gaza, resulting in over 46,000 Palestinian deaths.
Following months of violence, Israel and Hamas agreed to a ceasefire earlier this month. This led to several rounds of hostages and prisoner exchanges, with Hamas releasing eight hostages, including five Thai workers and three dual German-Israeli nationals, in exchange for 110 Palestinian prisoners held by Israel.
The ongoing developments in both Syria and Gaza highlight the complex and evolving nature of global conflicts involving militant groups. The US and Israeli military operations continue to target key figures in these groups in an effort to reduce their operational capabilities and influence in the region.
Sources By Agencies
